The Center for Liver Diseases

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and usually refers to a viral disease. While there are several types of hepatitis virus, all can be transmitted by contact with infected blood and other body fluids or by consuming contaminated food. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, but not for hepatitis C.

The average incubation period, or time before symptoms appear, is 45 days for viral hepatitis. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, dark urine, jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. Hepatitis B and C usually result in chronic infections, while hepatitis A has an acute course. Hepatitis B and C patients will need lifelong monitoring in the form of blood tests and other diagnostics. They should avoid alcohol to prevent the aggravation of hepatitis symptoms.

Cirrhosis is liver damage in the form of scarring and may be due to a variety of causes, but two of the most common are hepatitis and alcohol abuse. Other causes included autoimmune disorders and advanced fatty liver disease. Symptoms of cirrhosis include pain and edema, or swelling, in the legs, pain in the abdomen, and jaundice.

Treatment for cirrhosis is typically in the form of treatment for the underlying cause and may include abstinence from alcohol and weight loss. Liver function blood tests and imaging in the form of ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans are often needed. Some advanced cases may require a liver transplant. In the United States, there are over 200,000 cases of liver cirrhosis every year.

The Center for Liver Diseases at Sheba Medical Center features several advanced offerings for the specialized treatment of specific liver disorders. These include elastography, a diagnostic tool used the measure the elasticity of hepatic tissue. This technique provides critical data to physicians on the state of liver tissue and can be used in conjunction with ultrasound. The data is then used to formulate treatment plans, such as antiviral therapy. Sheba also has specialized software that can precisely measure fat content in patients with fatty liver disease.

We also have clinics solely for patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections. These clinics serve both outpatients and inpatients and provide several critical procedures, like draining of ascites fluid and administration of intravenous medications. In addition, ultrasound guided liver biopsies for definitive diagnoses are available.