Hepatitis Living With Print Common Complications of Hepatitis By Charles Daniel Charles Daniel, MPH, CHES is an infectious disease epidemiologist, specializing in hepatitis. Learn about our editorial process Charles Daniel Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH on April 20, 2020 linkedin Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Review Board Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH on April 20, 2020 Hepatitis Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Hepatitis can progress to or be complicated by other diseases. Some of these diseases, like fibrosis and cirrhosis, are very common. Fortunately, some of these complications, like liver failure, can also be prevented. If you have hepatitis, here are 10 other conditions and complications you should be aware of. 1 Fibrosis KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Science Photo Library/Getty Images One of the most common complications of chronic hepatitis is fibrosis, a condition caused by liver scarring. In cases of fibrosis, the liver is damaged by constant inflammation, creating scar tissue to repair itself. Unfortunately, this scar tissue keeps the liver from working as it once did. The good news is that if fibrosis is controlled in time and limited to a small part of your liver, the rest of the organ can work harder and keep up with its normal functions. If fibrosis develops and becomes more extensive, then it is described as cirrhosis. 2 Cirrhosis of the Liver Extensive fibrosis is called cirrhosis. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcoholic hepatitis can cause cirrhosis, as well as fatty liver disease and other liver-related conditions. Cirrhosis-related scarring is often irreversible. In severe cases and without treatment, the best course of action may be a liver transplant. 3 Cancer of the Liver Liver cancer is a complication of cirrhosis. Liver cancer may develop as one of two types: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiolar carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma affects the liver cells, while cholangiolar carcinoma affects the bile ducts. Liver Cancer Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment 4 Liver Failure Liver failure is a serious, but uncommon, complication of hepatitis. Doctors use different terms to describe variations of liver failure, such as fulminant liver failure, fulminant hepatic failure, or acute liver failure. If your liver no longer functions, this can lead your body to shut down, eventually causing you to die. There are many specific causes of liver failure, but in general, failure results when your liver is so damaged that it is unable to keep up with your body's needs. 5 Glomerulonephritis Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disorder caused by inflammation most often related to an immune response. It is most commonly seen in those with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. Without treatment, the inflammation can progress, severely damaging your kidneys. 6 Cryoglobulinemia Cryoglobulinemia is an uncommon disease caused by an abnormal cluster of a kind of protein that blocks small blood vessels. It is most common in those with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections and can lead to circulation problems. 7 Hepatic Encephalopathy Severe loss of liver function, such as liver failure, can cause your brain to become inflamed, what is known as encephalopathy. This causes mental problems, like confusion, and can lead to a coma. Advanced hepatic encephalopathy is a serious condition and is usually fatal. Hepatic Encephalopathy 8 Portal Hypertension One of the liver's important jobs is to filter blood. However, cirrhosis and other problems can interfere with the liver's portal circulation system. When this portal system is blocked, blood can't return to the liver from the digestive system and pressure increases, called portal hypertension. This is a serious complication and can be fatal. Portal Hypertension Overview 9 Porphyria Porphyria is a group of diseases caused by problems processing important chemicals in the body called porphyrins. One type, called porphyria cutanea tarda, leads to blistering of the hands and face and is a rare complication of chronic hepatitis C infection. 10 Viral Co-Infection Another challenging complication of hepatitis is the possibility of having two viral infections at the same time. Hepatitis doesn't cause the second infection, but hepatitis does make it more difficult for your immune system to successfully attack other viruses. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a common co-infection for people with hepatitis. Because of this, if you have hepatitis, you should always take precautions against HIV infection. Other common co-infections are the hepatotropic viruses, named A through E. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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