 Glossary
of Terms
You may come across
the following terms when reading or talking about hepatitis.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z (seach
by letter)
A
Acute Viral Hepatitis: A
new, sudden hepatitis infection. A person may or may not
have symptoms.
Alphafetoprotein (AFP): A
protein made by fetal liver cells and sometimes by liver
cancer cells. In hepatitis, the AFP level is a marker for
liver cancer. AFP is not a perfect test for liver cancer-
some without cancer have high AFP, some with cancer have
normal AFP. If doctors suspects cancer, they will conduct
additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): One
of several liver enzymes measured during blood tests. Elevated
(high) ALT level (particularly if the level is repeatedly
high) suggests that the liver may be inflamed.
Alopecia: Thinning or loss
of hair.
Anorexia: Decreased appetite
or aversion to food.
Antibody: A protein produced
by the immune system in response to viruses, bacteria, and
other foreign substances. Antibodies help your body recognize
infections and fight them. Vaccines work by helping the body
produce antibodies to protect against infections. Antibodies
circulate in the blood and their presence can indicate a
current or past infection.
Antigen: A substance that
the body recognizes as foreign- or something it should destroy.
The body makes antibodies that recognize these antigens.
Anti-inflammatory: Counteracting
or suppressing inflammation.
Antiviral: A substance that
fights viruses.
Ascites: An abnormal accumulation
of fluid in the abdomen. Ascites can result from liver failure,
cirrhosis and liver cancer. This condition requires medical
attention.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): An
enzyme produced by organs usually in response to inflammation
or damage. Elevated (high) AST levels may indicate liver
damage or damage to other organs (A heart attack, for example,
will increase the level of AST in the blood).
Asymptomatic: Means “without
symptoms”. Many people with hepatitis are asymptomatic.
B
Bile: A yellow-green fluid
that made by the liver to help digest fat. Bile contains
cholesterol, bile salts, and the pigment bilirubin.
C
Chronic Viral Hepatitis: A
hepatitis infection lasting more than 6 months.
Chronic Carrier: A person
with a long-term infection. A chronic viral hepatitis carrier
can transmit hepatitis virus to others.
Cirrhosis: A liver condition
characterized by scarring of the liver. Inflammation in the
liver may lead to scarring. Scarring can make it difficult
for the liver to function. Cirrhosis is a serious medical
condition, it can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and
death.
Clinical Trials: Carefully
controlled studies conducted in humans who volunteer to test
the effectiveness and safety of new drugs, medical products
or techniques.
All prescription drugs
in the United States undergo and
succeed in three phases of clinical trials before they can
be approved for general use.
Compensated liver disease: Liver
disease that
is advanced or serious, but the liver still
functions.
E
Encepalopathy: Change in brain function.
Symptoms may include loss of memory, personality change,
and difficulty concentrating.
Enzymes: A protein that
help a chemical reaction take place. Your liver produces
many enzymes such as ALT and AST.
F
False-positive: Test result
that is positive when it should not be. For example, a test
says hepatitis virus is present when it is not. Certain tests
have higher false-positive rates than others.
Fatigue: Feeling of being
very tired or lacking energy.
Fibrosis: Scarring of the
liver.
G
Gastroenterology/Gastroenterologist: The
field of medicine and the name for the type of medical specialist
that focuses on the function and disorders of the Gastrointestinal
(or GI) system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, pancreas,
intestines, and liver.
Genotype: A pattern of genetic
information that is present in related organisms. Hepatitis
viruses vary by type (A, B, C, etc) and each type has a number
of genotypes (1, 2, 3, 4). Doctors may determine the genotype
to help decide the best treatment.
H
Hepatitis: A general term
for inflammation of the liver. Many things can lead to inflammation
in the liver including viruses, bacterial infections, trauma,
medications, and alcohol. Viral hepatitis is inflammation
caused by a hepatitis virus.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HbsAg): An
antigen on the hepatitis B virus. Doctors look for this antigen
to see if the hepatitis B virus is present in the blood.
If the test for the HbsAG is positive, a person has hepatitis
B.
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HbsAb
or anti-HBs): The antibody formed in response
to the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus. The body
produces this antibody in response to hepatitis B vaccine
or actual hepatitis B infection. If this test is positive,
the immune system successfully developed protection against
the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HbcAb
or anti-HBc): An antibody produced in response
to a part of the hepatitis B virus. Blood banks use this
test to screen blood donations. A positive test indicates
exposure to the hepatitis B virus. This antibody does not
protect against future HBV infection.
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG): A
medication given after a person is exposed to blood or bodily
fluids that might be infected with hepatitis B virus. It
helps stop infection before it takes hold.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A
type of liver cancer. It is a malignant tumor of the liver.
Hepatocyte: A liver cell.
Hepatology/ Hepatologist: The
field of
medicine (and type of doctor )
focusing on diseases of the
liver. It is a sub-specialty within gastroenterology (GI).
Histology: The field of
medicine that studies tissue under the microscope to look
for evidence of damage or disease.
I
Illicit drug: (See recreational
drug)
Immune System: The body’s
defense system against foreign substances such as bacteria,
viruses, fungi, parasites, and malignant cells.
Immunocompromised: A situation
where the immune system is weakened or not functioning normally
because of illness or a drug or chemical.
Immunology: The field of
medicine that studies the immune system,
including allergic reactions.
Infection: The results of
the presence of harmful microorganisms in the body. Infections
can be acute (new) or chronic (persistent).
Inflammation: Redness, warmth,
swelling, and/or pain that results when the immune system
responds to infection, irritation, or other injury.
Interferon: A protein produced
by the body to protect against infection. Many different
cells produce interferon, usually at low levels. Interferon
is also produced in the laboratory. Interferon is used to
treat infections like hepatitis and conditions like multiple
sclerosis.
Investigational Drug: A
new drug that is undergoing clinical trials to prove its
efficacy
and safety (see clinical trials).
J
Jaundice: A condition characterized
by yellowness of the skin and eyes and darkening of the urine.
Many illnesses and disorders can lead to jaundice including
hepatitis.
L
Liver: One of the
largest organs in the body. The liver has many functions
(over 500) including the production of proteins, cholesterol
and hormones, bile and blood clotting factors. It aids
in digestion of food, stores sugar, and breaks down fats.
It also breaks down alcohol and other toxins.
Liver Biopsy: The
removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver using
a special needle. The tissue is examined under a microscope
to look for the presence of inflammation or liver damage.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs): A
group of blood tests used to assess the functioning of
the liver. Doctors use these tests to look for or monitor
liver diseases. See ALT and AST.
Lymphocyte: A
type of white blood cell that plays a role in defending
the body against disease.
.
M
Monotherapy: Therapy with
one drug or agent.
Mutation: A change in the
genetic makeup of an organism. Hepatitis viruses often mutate
slightly which makes them difficult to treat and to design
vaccines to prevent infection.
N
Needlestick: An accidental
puncture of the skin while handling hypodermic needles, usually
in the healthcare setting.
Neutropenia: An abnormal
decrease in the number of neutrophils, types of white blood
cell.
Non-Responders: Patients
who do not respond to therapy or a vaccine within a specified
time-frame.
P
Patient Compliance: Level
to which a patient follows the instructions of their physician.
Compliance with hepatitis treatment is essential for best
results.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction): A
method of detecting DNA or RNA from tissues or body fluids.
PCR is used to determine if hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus
is in the blood.
Pegylated/pegalation: The
attachment of a molecule of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to
another
substance. PEG was added to interferon to make it last longer in the body so
that fewer injections are needed .
Percutaneous: Absorption
(or passing) of substances into the body through the skin.
Perinatal Transmission
(also called vertical transmission): Transmission of an infectious
disease fro m mother to newborn before or during birth
Persistent: A disease or
other medical condition that returns or continues over a
long time.
Platelets: Cells produced
in the bone marrow that control bleeding by helping the blood
to clot. Cirrhosis can cause platelets to be stuck or sequestered
and affect the ability of blood to clot.
Post-Transfusion Hepatitis: Liver
inflammation that occurs when the body reacts unfavorably
to a blood transfusion. This is now rare in the United States
due to careful blood screening.
Protein: A substance made
of a string of amino acids. Your body produces many kinds
of proteins. Some serve as building blocks for the body and
some help the body carry out functions.
Protocol: A step-by-step
procedure or plan. A doctor may refer to a treatment plan
as a protocol even if you are not in a clinical trial.
R
Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA): A
type of test to measure the presence of antibodies in the
blood.
Reconstitution: The process
of adding liquid to a dry powder in order to make a solution.
Prescription drugs that are given by injection are often
provided as a dry powder, which must be reconstituted before
it can be used.
Recreational Drugs (illicit drug
use): Illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine,
and heroin or legal drugs (like medications) used for non-medical
purposes.
Relapse: The return (or
recurrence) of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement.
Remission: A period of time
when all or some of the symptoms of a disease have disappeared
or decreased. Remission may occur spontaneously (all by itself)
or because of medical treatment.
Ribavirin: Ribavirin is
an anti-viral medication. It stimulates the immune system
to fight viruses. It is used in combination with interferon
for hepatitis C treatment.
Risk Factors: Conditions,
activities, or behaviors that increase an individual’s
chance of developing a certain disease. Risk factors are
identified by observing large groups of people and seeing
what they have in common. Having a risk factor does not guarantee
a person will acquire or develop a disease. For example:
smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer.
S
Screening: Testing for signs
of a disease. A positive screening test is NOT the same as
a diagnosis of a disease. Screening tests are often used
to identify people who should be examined further.
Self-Administration: Patients
administer (or give) themselves a therapy. Many hepatitis
patients give themselves their interferon injections rather
than having a doctor or nurse administer the injection.
Serology: Refers to the
study of serum (the clear portion of body fluids) for certain
substances like antibodies.
Spleen: An organ located
in the left upper abdomen that removes old red blood cells
and other blood cells from circulation. The spleen can enlarge
in a person who has cirrhosis due to the large number of
platelets.
STD or STI (sexually transmitted
disease or infection): A disease transmitted through
sexual contact.
Sustained Viral Response (SVR): A
response to therapy that continues over a long period of
time. In hepatitis C, SVR means the virus has not been detected
for at least 6 months after treatment.
T
Transaminases: Refers to
SGOT or SGPT, which are older terms for the ALT and AST.
Transfusion: The introduction
of blood or components of blood (such as plasma, platelets)
from one person into another.
Transmission: The spread
of disease from one person or animal to another.
U
Universal precautions: A
set of guidelines developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control intended to decrease the risk of spreading illness
and disease in healthcare settings. Specifically, universal
precautions are to be used when coming into contact with
certain types of body fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal
fluids. When handling these fluids, all measures to avoid
exposure should be taken, including wearing gloves and other
protective covers; avoiding injury; and proper disposal of
affected materials.
V
Vaccine: A medication that
stimulates the production of antibodies to protect against
a specific disease. Vaccines are available for hepatitis
A and B.
Variceal Bleeding: Abnormal
bleeding from broken blood vessels in the esophagus (throat).
The bleeding occurs when blood flow through the liver is
blocked. Patients with advanced cirrhosis can develop this
condition. Variceal bleeding is an EMERGENCY. CALL 911!
Viral hepatitis: Inflammation
of the liver caused by viruses that specifically attack the
liver. Viruses include hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
Viral Load: Measurement
of the amount of virus in the bloodstream.
Viremia: Refers to the presence
of a given virus in the bloodstream.
Virologic response: A reduction
in the amount of virus in the blood in response to treatment.
Virus: A microorganism that
can infect the body. Many types of viruses exist such as
those causing influenza, and hepatitis.
W
White blood cells: Cells
the body makes to help fight infection.
If you did not find the
term you are looking for,
contact HepTREC. We will assist you!
info@heptrec.org
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