Autoimmune hepatitis (patient information)

Autoimmune hepatitis
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Autoimmune hepatitis On the Web
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
Images of Autoimmune hepatitis
Videos on Autoimmune hepatitis
FDA on Autoimmune hepatitis
CDC on Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis in the news
Blogs on Autoimmune hepatitis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Autoimmune hepatitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Autoimmune hepatitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Manpreet Kaur, MD [2]

Overview

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic—or long-lasting disease in which the body's immune system attacks the normal components, or cells, of the liver and causes inflammation and liver damage. The immune system normally protects people from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful foreign substances. Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious condition that may worsen over time if not treated. Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver. Liver failure occurs when the liver stops working properly