Definition: Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a systemic infection predominantly affecting the liver. It is most often caused by viruses that are hepatotropic (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E). Other viral infections may also occasionally affect the liver, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex, coxsackievirus, and adenovirus. Whereas hepatitis A and E are self-limiting, infection with hepatitis C and to a lesser extent hepatitis B usually become chronic.
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