What happens if you have an inflamed liver?

If you or your child has been diagnosed with liver disease, the British Liver Trust or Children's Liver Disease Foundation can also offer advice and support.

Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It's usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol.

There are several different types of hepatitis, most of which are outlined below.

Some types will pass without any serious problems, while others can be long-lasting (chronic) and cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), loss of liver function and, in some cases, liver cancer.

The number of cases of hepatitis in children has increased recently. Public health doctors and scientists are looking into what could be causing this.

See a GP if your child has symptoms of hepatitis, including yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Good hygiene, including supervising hand washing in young children, can help to prevent infections that can cause hepatitis.

Updated: 25 April 2022

Short-term (acute) hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms, so you may not realise you have it.

If symptoms do develop, they can include:

See your GP if you have any persistent or troublesome symptoms that you think could be caused by hepatitis.

Long-term (chronic) hepatitis also may not have any obvious symptoms until the liver stops working properly (liver failure) and may only be picked up during blood tests.

In the later stages it can cause jaundice, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, confusion, and blood in your stools or vomit.

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. It's usually caught by consuming food and drink contaminated with the poo of an infected person, and is most common in countries where sanitation is poor.

Hepatitis A usually passes within a few months, although it can occasionally be severe and even life threatening.

There's no specific treatment for it, other than to relieve symptoms like pain, nausea and itching.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended if:

  • you're at high risk of infection or severe consequences of infection
  • you're travelling to an area where the virus is common, such as the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Central and South America, the Far East and eastern Europe.

Find out more about hepatitis A

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is spread in the blood of an infected person.

It's a common infection worldwide and is usually spread from infected pregnant women to their babies, or from child-to-child contact.

In rare cases, it can be spread through unprotected sex and injecting drugs.

Hepatitis B is uncommon in the UK. Most cases affect people who became infected while growing up in part of the world where the infection is more common, such as southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Most adults infected with hepatitis B are able to fight off the virus and fully recover from the infection within a couple of months.

But most people infected as children develop a long-term infection. This is known as chronic hepatitis B, and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Antiviral medication can be used to treat it.

In the UK, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for people in high-risk groups, such as:

  • healthcare workers
  • people who inject drugs
  • men who have sex with men
  • children born to mothers with hepatitis B
  • people travelling to parts of the world where the infection is more common

In 2017, the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the routine immunisation programme so all children can benefit from protection from this virus.

Find out more about hepatitis B

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus and is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK.

It's usually spread through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person.

In the UK, it's most commonly spread through sharing needles used to inject drugs.

Poor healthcare practices and unsafe medical injections are the main way it's spread outside the UK.

Hepatitis C often causes no noticeable symptoms, or only flu-like symptoms, so many people are unaware they're infected.

Around 1 in 4 people will fight off the infection and be free of the virus. In the remaining cases, it'll stay in the body for many years.

This is known as chronic hepatitis C and can cause cirrhosis and liver failure.

Chronic hepatitis C can be treated with very effective antiviral medications, but there's currently no vaccine available.

Find out more about hepatitis C

Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus. It only affects people who are already infected with hepatitis B, as it needs the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in the body.

Hepatitis D is usually spread through blood-to-blood contact or sexual contact. It's uncommon in the UK, but is more widespread in other parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

Long-term infection with hepatitis D and hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing serious problems, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

There's no vaccine specifically for hepatitis D, but the hepatitis B vaccine can help protect you from it.

Hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus. The number of cases in Europe has increased in recent years and it's now the most common cause of short-term (acute) hepatitis in the UK.

The virus has been mainly associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat or offal, but also with wild boar meat, venison and shellfish. 

Hepatitis E is generally a mild and short-term infection that does not require any treatment, but it can be serious in some people, such as those who have a weakened immune system.

There's no vaccine for hepatitis E. When travelling to parts of the world with poor sanitation, where epidemic hepatitis E may be common, you can reduce your risk by practising good food and water hygiene measures.

The British Liver Trust has more information about hepatitis E.

Alcoholic hepatitis is a type of hepatitis caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over many years.

The condition is common in the UK and many people do not realise they have it.

This is because it does not usually cause any symptoms, although it can cause sudden jaundice and liver failure in some people.

Stopping drinking will usually allow your liver to recover, but there's a risk you could eventually develop cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer if you continue to drink alcohol excessively.

You can reduce your risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis by controlling how much you drink.

It's recommended that you do not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

Read more about alcohol-related liver disease and the health risks associated with alcohol.

Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare cause of long-term hepatitis in which the immune system attacks and damages the liver.

Eventually, the liver can become so damaged that it stops working properly.

Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis involves very effective medicines that suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.

It's not clear what causes autoimmune hepatitis and it's not known whether anything can be done to prevent it.

The British Liver Trust has more information about autoimmune hepatitis.

Page last reviewed: 04 February 2019
Next review due: 04 February 2022

Chronic liver inflammation is characterized by the formation of nodules and fibrous connective tissue within the liver, which hinder this organ’s function. 

Usually, liver inflammation is associated with a more advanced stage of a hepatic condition, such as hepatitis or fatty liver disease.. In addition to these problems, inflammation can also occur as a result of excessive alcohol consumption, extensive medication use, and even viral infections.

Chronic liver inflammation, or cirrhosis, is not curable therefore treatment is normally aimed at managing some of the symptoms and preventing the condition from getting worse. Treatment can include some dietary changes as well as medication. In more serious cases, surgery may also be necessary to transplant a new liver.

What happens if you have an inflamed liver?

Main symptoms

In an initial stage, liver inflammation does not usually cause any type of symptoms. However, as the condition worsens and progresses into cirrhosis, symptoms may start appearing. These include:

  • Weakness and fatigue;
  • General malaise;
  • Frequent nausea;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Red patches on the skin;
  • Weight loss.

In more advanced stages of cirrhosis, it's common to observe other signs such as yellow skin and eyes, bloated stomach, dark urine, white feces and itchiness in the whole body.

If you identify a symptom that can indicate some type of liver problem, it's important to visit a hepatologist or a G.P. Try our online symptom checker to assess for your risk of liver disease. 

Possible causes

There are several causes for liver inflammation, but the most common ones include:

1. Viral hepatitis

Hepatitis B and C are usually caused by viruses that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or by sharing of contaminated objects, such as needles, syringes, manicure pliers, or contaminated tattoo devices.

These two types of hepatitis affect the liver cells, and if they are not treated early, can cause chronic liver inflammation, leading to cirrhosis. 

2. Alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse can cause immediate consequences for the body such as difficulty maintaining balance and loss of coordination. Meanwhile, if consumption happens frequently and in amounts higher than 60g of alcohol per day, in men, or 20 g, in women, this can lead to hepatic cirrhosis. 

3. Metabolic disorders

Some metabolic disorders can lead to liver inflammation and cirrhosis, such as Wilson's disease. This is a rare, genetic disease that does not have a cure. It is characterized by the body's inability to metabolize copper, which accumulates in several organs (especially the brain and liver), causing serious damage to those organs. 

4. Fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease, known scientifically as hepatic steatosis, is a condition in which there is an accumulation of fat in the liver due to bad dietary habits. If left untreated, fatty liver can cause chronic inflammation of the liver, increasing the risk of cirrhosis. Read about how diet can affect fatty liver.

5. Medication

Some remedies, if used in excess or very regularly, can cause liver inflammation, contributing to cirrhosis. Some types of medication that can lead to the development of hepatic cirrhosis include isoniazide, nitrofurantoin, amiodarone, methotrexate, chlorpromazine, and diclofenac sodium. 

6. Chronic cholestasis

Chronic cholestasis is a condition in which the bile cannot be excreted from the liver to the intestine. This can happen due to tumors or gallstones obstructing the bile ducts or even due to a deficiency in the production of bile. Because of this bile build-up, chronic cholestasis can lead to hepatic cirrhosis.

How to diagnose liver inflammation

Diagnosis for liver inflammation or cirrhosis starts with an evaluation of symptoms, daily habits, and health history. In addition, lab tests are usually requested to assess liver function, the kidneys and the blood’s ability to clot. The doctor may also order some serologic tests to identify possible viral infections.

The main lab tests that tend to be requested include ALT, AST and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood tests. These tests check hepatic enzyme levels, which become more elevated with liver disease. Learn more about AST and ALT tests.

Doctors can also request a CT exam or a MRI to assess the liver and the abdominal region, in order to identify affected areas and to determine the need to carry out a biopsy. A liver biopsy is not done with the goal of reaching a diagnosis, but can help determine gravity, extension, and the cause of the cirrhosis.  

Treatment options

Treatment for liver inflammation will differ according to its cause and severity, and it may involve suspending medication or alcohol intake. In addition, it's important to maintain a well balanced diet, that includes the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may also prescribe the use of some medications, such as diuretics, high blood pressure remedies or creams for skin itchiness, in order to improve the patient's quality of life.

In more advanced stages, when there are many lesions to the liver, the only form of treatment may be a liver transplant, which is done by removing the affected liver and replacing it with a healthy liver from a compatible donor.