What condition is characterized by inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection?

Hepatitis is the condition characterized by inflammation of the liver caused specifically by a viral infection. This term encompasses various types of viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each caused by different viruses and differing in transmission, severity, and chronicity.

The inflammation of the liver associated with hepatitis may lead to symptoms including jaundice (the yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Understanding hepatitis is crucial in the field of emergency medical services, as quick recognition and management can significantly impact patient outcomes.

In contrast, cirrhosis refers to late scarring of the liver resulting from long-term liver damage, often from chronic infections like hepatitis but not directly caused by a viral infection by itself. Jaundice is a symptom, not a condition in itself, and indicates liver problems, whereas liver damage is a non-specific term that could refer to a variety of liver issues including hepatitis, but does not specifically denote viral infection. Thus, hepatitis is the most accurate term for liver inflammation due to viral infection.