Hepatitis is affecting millions of people all over the world. It is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus that attacks healthy liver cells. This infection can result in both short- and long-term effects.
Viral hepatitis can be known as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. The spread of hepatitis can occur by eating or drinking something contaminated by fecal matter or when a person has contact with blood or bodily fluids from a person who is infected.
Symptoms of hepatitis are rare, but here is a list of symptoms that may occur if a person becomes infected.
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
Mitchell L. Shiffman, MD, of Bon Secours Liver Institute of Richmond and Hampton Roads was recently recognized as an Expertscape Expert in chronic hepatitis C. Dr. Shiffman is a liver specialist and an expert on the treatment and care of liver diseases. Both he and his medical team have an excellent reputation for treating people who have been diagnosed with hepatitis C and hepatitis B.
“With currently available medications, we can now cure viral hepatitis C and completely suppress viral hepatitis B in virtually all persons,” Dr. Shirrman shares. “Our goal for World Hepatitis Week 2021 should be to identify every single person with either HCV or HBV infection in our community and get them to physicians who are knowledgeable about and can prescribe treatment for these chronic liver diseases. If we can do this, new viral hepatitis infections will drop by 90 percent and deaths from viral hepatitis will decline by 65 percent between now and 2030. These are the goals also set forth by the World Health Organization.”
In addition to treating patients with hepatitis C and hepatitis B, Dr. Shiffman offers hepatitis vaccinations and pre-transplantation care, as well as management of chronic liver disease and liver disease symptoms.
Dr. Shiffman’s Liver Institute of Richmond and Hampton Roads is recognized by The Chronic Liver Disease Foundation (CLFD) as a Center of Excellence in Liver Disease.
Learn more about the other liver care and hepatology services we offer at Bon Secours.
