hepatitis
noun
also hepatitises
ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-tə-səz
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The liver, the body's largest gland, performs many important tasks, but is also vulnerable to many illnesses. At least five types of hepatitis, labeled with the letters A–E, are caused by viruses. The most common are hepatitis A, acquired through contaminated food and water; hepatitis B, which usually travels via sexual activity or shared needles; and hepatitis C, generally passed through shared needles. Some other types, including alcoholic hepatitis (caused by drinking too much alcohol), aren't infectious. There are vaccines for types A and B, and drug treatments for A, B, and C, though the drugs aren't always effective.
Examples of hepatitis in a Sentence
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Progressive liver damage caused by conditions such as hepatitis, alcohol misuse or fatty liver disease were responsible for 52,274 deaths that year, per NCHS.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
Ingesting aloe leaf extract has been associated with acute hepatitis (liver inflammation).
—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
21 June 2026
Infections, including bacterial skin infections or viral hepatitis; allergic reactions; scarring and rarely skin cancer are some common health risks associated with tattoos.
—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hepatitis
Cite this Entry
“Hepatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hepatitis
noun
also hepatitises
Medical Definition
hepatitis
noun
also hepatitises
