viral hepatitis

/ˌvaɪrəl ˈhɛpəˌtaɪdɪs/

Definitions of viral hepatitis

1. noun

   hepatitis caused by a virus
   types:

   hepatitis A, infectious hepatitis

   an acute but benign form of viral hepatitis caused by an RNA virus that does not persist in the blood serum and is usually transmitted by ingesting food or drink that is contaminated with fecal matter

   hepatitis B, serum hepatitis

   an acute (sometimes fatal) form of viral hepatitis caused by a DNA virus that tends to persist in the blood serum and is transmitted by sexual contact or by transfusion or by ingestion of contaminated blood or other bodily fluids

   hepatitis C

   a viral hepatitis clinically indistinguishable from hepatitis B but caused by a single-stranded RNA virus; usually transmitted by parenteral means (as injection of an illicit drug or blood transfusion or exposure to blood or blood products)

   type of:

   hepatitis

   inflammation of the liver caused by a virus or a toxin