Hepatitis C Information Central

[A]	[B]	[C]	[D]	[E]	[F]	[G]
[H]	[I]	[J]	[K]	[L]	[M]	[N]
[O]	[P]	[Q]	[R]	[S]	[T]	[U]
	[V]	[W]	[X]	[Y]	[Z]

h--Hour

HA--Hepatic Artery, Hepatitis A, Hyperalimentation

HAA--Hepatitis Associated Antigen

HAAA--Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia

Haemagglutination-Inhibition--An assay used for certain types of viruses which are able to agglutinate red blood cells. Haemagglutination-inhibition records blocking

Half-Life--The time required for half the amount of a drug to be eliminated from the body

HAP--High Amplitude Peristalsis

H&P--History & Physical

Harris' Band--Anomalous peritoneal folds which extend from the gallbladder to the inferior surface of the liver to the proximal duodenum, sometimes traversing the mesocolon near the hepatic flexure

HAV--Hepatitis A Virus

Hawthorne Berry--Crataegus Laevigata. Also known as Mayblossom and Whitehorn. Apparently causes a direct dilation of the smooth muscles of the coronary vessels which lowers their resistance and increasing blood flow. Said to have a direct, favorable effect on the heart as well as increase nerve conductivity. Used as a mild astringent for treating sore throats, as well as treating hypertension, nervous disorders and insomnia

Hazardous Material--Substances that are dangerous. i.e. Things that have come into contact with the hepatitis C virus through use, such as needles, syringes, alcohol swabs, bandaids

Hb--Hemoglobin

HB--Hepatitis B

HBc--Hepatitis B Core (antigen)

HBe--Hepatitis B e Surface (antigen)

HBF--Hepatic Blood Flow

HBs--Hepatitis B Surface (antigen)

HBcAb--Antibody to the Hepatitis B Core Antigen

HBcAb--Antibody to the Hepatitis B Core Antigen

HBeAb--Antibody to the Hepatitis B e Antigen

HB-Ag--Hepatitis B Antigen

HBcAg--Hepatitis v Core Antigen

HBeAg--Hepatitis B e Antigen

HBsAg--Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. This is the outer surface of the hepatitis B virus that triggers an antibody response. HBsAg "positive" or "reactive" means that the person is infected with HBV and can possibly pass it on to others with whom they come into contact with

HbCV--Hepatitis B Conjugate Vaccine

HBIG--Hepatitis V Immune Globulin

HBV--Hepatitis B Virus

HC--High Calorie

HCD--High Carbohydrate Diet

HCI--Hydrochloric Acid

HCO₃Bicarbonate

HCS--Hematocystic

Hct--Hematocrit

HCV--Hepatitis C Virus

HCV-RNA--(Hepatitis C Virus Ribonucleic Acid)--Fragments of the replicating hepatitis C virus. These can be detected using highly sophisticated testing to determine the level of the hepatitis C virus present in the body

HCV-RNA (qPCR)-Negative-- Is defined as less than 100 copies/ml of hepatitis C viral RNA as measured by the National Genetics Institute assay. Considered a Sustained Response

HDL--High Density Lipoprotein. Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL's are large, dense, protein-fat particles that circulate in the blood picking up already used and unused cholesterol and taking them back to the liver as part of a recycling process. Higher levels of HDL's are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease because the cholesterol is cleared more readily from the blood

HDL(1)--Lp(a) Lipoprotein

HDL(2)--High Density Lipoprotein

HDL(3)--High Density Lipoprotein

HDL-C--HDL-Cholesterol

HDLP--High Density Lipoprotein

HDV--Hepatitis D Virus, Human Delta Virus

HE--Human Enteric

H&E--Hematoxlin and Eosin (Stain)

Heartburn--A sensation of warmth or burning behind the sternum or in the epigastrium. Sometimes there is a acidic taste associated with heartburn

Heartsease--Viola Tricolor--also known as Wild Pansy. Used in the form of an ointment and poultice in eczema and other skin troubles, and internally for bronchitis

HELLP Syndrome--Hemolysis elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count: a serious disorder of pregnancy of unknown etiology that occurs between the 23rd and 39th weeks, that is characterized by a great reduction in the number of platelets per cubic millimeter, by hemolysis, by abnormal liver function tests, and sometimes by hypertension, and that requires termination of pregnancy

Helminth--Aparasitic worm such as a ascarid, liver fluke, tapeworm, or leech

Helper Cell--A type of lymphocyte which aids the recognition of specific antigens and the production of an immune response

Helper T Cell (HTL)--Helper T Cells are activated by binding to an HTL specific epitope presented by cells in a similar fashion as CTL epitopes are presented. When activated, HTLs help expand the immune response by releasing chemicals which stimulate the CTL response and the B-cell antibody responses

Hematemesis--Vomiting of blood

Hematochezia--The passage of bright red blood from the rectum. It is often due to bleeding from the colon, rectum or hemorrhoids

Hematocrit--The percentage of the volume of a blood sample occupied by cells

Hematogenous--Concerned with the production of blood or of one or more of its constituents. Taking place or spread by way of the blood

Hematoma--Bruising. Accumulation of blood trapped within the tissues of the body

Hematuria--Blood in the Urine. Gross hematuria can be observed with the naked eye and indicate severe hemorrhage. Microscopic hematuria is either observed with microscope or by testing for the presence of blood with chemical strips

Hemeproteins--Proteins that contain an iron porphyrin, or heme, prosthetic group resembling that of hemoglobin

Hemlock--Conium Maculatum--POISON. Because of its peculiar sedative action on the motor centers, Hemlock juice (Succus conii) is prescribed as a remedy in cases of undue nervous motor excitability, acute mania, spasms of the larynx and gullet, teething in children, epilepsy from dentition cramp, in the early stages of paralysis agitans, etc. As an inhalation it is said to relieve cough in bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, etc. Hemlock has to be administered with care, as narcotic poisoning may result from internal use, and overdoses produce paralysis. In poisonous doses it produces complete paralysis with loss of speech, the respiratory function is at first depressed and ultimately ceases altogether and death results from asphyxia. The mind remains unaffected to the last. In the account of the death of Socrates, reference is made to loss of sensation as one of the prominent symptoms of his poisoning, but the dominant action is on the motor system. It is placed in Table II of the Poison Schedule

Hemobilia--Bleeding into the biliary passages

Hemodialysis--A method of dialysis in which blood is purified by circulating through an apparatus outside the body. Sometimes called an "artificial kidney." A process of removing blood from an artery, purifying it, and returning it to the body

Hemoglobin--The red blood pigment which carries oxygen in the blood. A protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs

Hemolysis--May be caused by bacterial hemolysins, by antibodies that cause complement dependent lysis, by placing red cells in a hypotonic solution or by defects in the red cell membrane

Hemolytic Anemia--A group of disorder in which anemia occurs due to destruction of red cells. In hemolytic anemia, serum haptoglobin levels is decreased

Hemolytic Jaundice--A type of jaundice, where the skin takes on a yellowish hue, which occurs when red blood cells have been destroyed (by hemolysis)

Hemophiliac--A person who does not produce all of the proteins necessary for clotting blood

Hemopoiesis--The body function in producing blood products. It includes: erythropoiesis: production of red blood cells and leucopoiesis: production of white blood cells

Hemorrhoids--Dilation of veins in the anal area. Problems associated with hemorrhoids occur when these veins become enlarged, prolapsed, or become inflamed or plugged

Hemochromatosis--Disorder of iron metabolism characterized by excess deposition of iron in the tissues, especially the liver. It is characterized by pigmentation of the skin, hepatic cirrhosis, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, cardiomyopathy and endocrinopathy (especially hypogonadism). Mainly seen in men over the age of 40 years. It has an associated arthropathy distinguished by involvement of the metacarpophalangeal joints (particularly the second and third), wrists, knees, shoulders, and hips. There is often an associated chondrocalcinosis

Hemoglobin--The iron containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

Hemoglobins--Oxygen-carrying pigments of the erythrocytes, formed by the developing erythrocyte in bone marrow. Hemoglobin is a conjugated protein containing four heme groups and globin. A molecule of hemoglobin contains four globin polypeptide chains, designated alpha, beta, gamma, delta in the adult. Each is composed of several hundred amino acids

Hemolysis--Destruction of red blood cells, resultant escape of hemoglobin

Hemolytic Anemia--Anemia caused by excessive destruction of red blood cells

Hemoperfusion--Dialysis of the blood to remove foreign substances such as poisons or drugs

Hemophilia--Hereditary blood disease where the blood fails to clot and abnormal bleeding occurs. It is found only in males and is treated by injections of Factor VIII

Hemopoietic--Blood cell formation

Hemoptysis--Coughing up blood

Hemorrhage--Rupture of a blood vessel or leakage of blood from a vessel. Significance of hemorrhage depends upon the volume of blood loss, rate of loss, and site of hemorrhage. Rapid losses of greater than 20% of the blood volume may induce hypovolemic shock. Hemorrhage that might be insignificant in the subcutaneous tissue can be fatal when located within the brain

Hemosiderosis--A focal or general increase in tissue iron stores without associated tissue damage

Hemostasis--Stopping the flow of bleeding, stopping or slowing circulation. the ability to control bleeding following trauma to the tissue. It is affected by vascular reaction, platelet function, and coagulation factors

Hemostatic--Agent that arrests bleeding and hemorrhages

Hemothorax--When blood accumulates in one of the chest cavity. Blood in the pleural space of the chest

Hematochezia--Maroon stools, usually from a lower GI bleed

HEN--Home Enteral Nutrition

Henna--Lawsonia Alba--Widely used in Europe for tinting the hair, usually in the form of a shampoo. There has been found in Henna a brown substance of a resinoid fracture, having the chemical properties much like the tannins, and therefore named Hennotannic acid. It has been used both internally and locally in jaundice, leprosy, smallpox, and affections of the skin

HEP--Hepatic

Hepar--Liver

Heparin--A glycosaminoglycan sulfuric acid ester that occurs esp. in the liver and lungs, that prolongs the clotting time of blood by preventing the formation of fibrin, and that is administered parenterally in the form of its sodium salt in vascular surgery and in the treatment of postoperative thrombosis and embolism. In other words-A medication which quickly produces anticoagulation and which must be given by injection

Hepat, Hepato--Combining form meaning liver, hepatic

Hepatalgia--Pain in the Liver

Hepatatrophia--Atrophy of the liver

Hepatectomize--To deprive of the liver by surgical removal

Hepatectomy--Excision of the liver or a part of it

Hepatic--Pertaining to the liver, involving the liver

Hepatic Arteriole--Proposed but controversial supply arteriole from terminal hepatic artery into parenchymal sinusoids in the periportal region

Hepatic Artery--Branch of the celiac artery that supplies the liver with arterial blood

Hepatitic Calculi--Stones originating in extrahepatic biliary tract or solely in the liver. Also found in liver cysts

Hepatic Cell--Hepatocyte

Hepatic Coma--State of unconsciousness seen in patients severely ill with liver disease. Sometimes the precomatose state of hepatic encephalopathy. A coma that is induced by severe liver disease

Hepatic Duct--Common bile duct. A duct conveying the bile away from the liver and uniting with the cystic duct to form the common bile duct

Hepatic Encephalopathy--All stages in the onset and development of coma, Changes in consciousness, behavior, mental state. Occurs in advanced liver disease. A group of symptoms that may occur when there is damage to the brain and nervous system as a complication of liver disorders, characterized by various neurologic symptoms including changes in behavior changes, consciousness, and personality changes. Abnormal brain function caused by passage of toxic substances from the liver to the blood

Hepatic Flexure--Also called Right Colic Flexure, the right-angle bend in the colon on the right side of the body near the liver that marks the junction of the ascending colon and the transverse colon

Hepaticoduodenostomy--Anastomosis of the hepatitic duct to the duodenum

Hepaticoenterostomy--Anastomosis of the hepatitic duct to the intestine

Hepaticogastrostomy--Anaastomosis of the hepatitic duct to the stomach

Hepaticojejunostomy--Anastomosis of the hepatic duct to the jejunum

Hepaticojejunostomy Roux-en-Y--The surgical fashioning of a direct connection between hepatic duct and jejunum to drain bile directly from the liver when disease or injury has damaged the bile ducts

Hepaticolithotomy--Incision of the hepatic duct with removal of calculi

Hepaticolithotripsy--The crushing of a calculus in the hepatitic duct

Hepaticostomy--Fistulization of the hepatitc duct

Hepaticotomy--Incision of the hepatitic duct

Hepatic Necrosis--Destruction of functional liver tissue

Hepatic Portal SystemGroup of veins that carry blood from the capillaries of the stomach, spleen, intestine, and pancreas to the sinusoids of the liver

Hepatic Portal Vein--A portal vein carrying blood from the digestive organs and spleen to the liver where the nutrients carried by the blood are altered by hepatocytes before passing into the systemic circulation

Hepatic Siderosis--The deposit of an abnormal quantity of iron in the liver

Hepatitc Trauma--Liver injury resulting from blunt trauma or penetrating wounds

Hepatic Tuberculosis--Infection of the liver with tubercle bacilli producing localized granulomata, miliary lesions, or tuberculoma

Hepatic Vein--Any of a group of veins that transports blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, which carries the blood to the right atrium of the heart. In the ascent to the heart, the inferior vena cava passes along a groove in the posterior side of the liver, it is there that the hepatic veins joins it. Blood transported by the hepatic veins comes not only from the liver but also from most of the abdominal organs. This blood flows to the liver by way of the aportal vein. Veins which drain the liver

Hepatic Vein Thrombosis--Occlusion of the hepatic veins caused by thrombi or fibrous obliteration of the veins

Hepatitis--Inflammation of the liver, Swollen Liver, liver disease involving degenerative or necrotic alterations of hepatocytes

Hepatitis A--Self-limited viral disease of worldwide distribution caused by the hepatitis A virus, more common in areas of poor hygiene and low socioeconomic standards, transmitted almost exclusively by the fecal-oral route, although parenteral transmission is possible; no carrier state. Incubation period is approximately 30 days, with a range of 15 to 50 days. Most cases are clinically inapparent or have mild flulike symptoms; jaundice, if present, is usually mild. Massive hepatic necrosis (fulminant hepatitis) can occur but much less commonly than with hepatitis B or non-A, non-B hepatitis. Previously called epidemic hep., MS-1 hep., jaundice infectious hep., and short-incubation hepatitis

Hepatitis A Virus, Human--Species of Hepatovirus which causes human hepatitis A. The virus replicates in hepatocytes and is thought to reach the intestine via the bile duct. Transmission occurs by the fecal-oral route

Hepatitis Agents, GB--Proposed members of the family Flaviviridae. GBV-B causes hepatitis in tamarins and possibly humans, and is the putative etiological agent of a non-(A-E) hepatitis, GB hepatitis

Hepatitis A Virus, VP3 Protein (62-75)--Synthetic peptide

Hepatitis--Alcoholic--Acute or chronic degenerative and inflammatory lesion of the liver in the alcoholic which is potentially progressive or reversible; it does not necessarily include steatosis, fibrosis, or cirrhosis of alcoholics, although it is frequently associated with these conditions. Liver inflammation resulting from alcoholism, often a precursor of cirrhosis of the liver

Hepatitis Antibodies--Immunoglobulins raised by any form of viral hepatitis; some of these antibodies are used to diagnose the specific kind of hepatitis

Hepatitis Antigens--Antigens from any of the hepatitis viruses including surface, core, and other associated antigens

Hepatitis B--Viral disease caused by the hepatitis B virus that is endemic worldwide, the areas of highest endemicity being China and Southeast Asia, subSaharan Africa, most Pacific islands, and the Amazon basin. The virus is shed in all body fluids by individuals with acute or chronic infections and by asymptomatic carriers, and is transmitted primarily by parenteral routes, such as by blood transfusion or by sharing of needles among drug users; oral transmission can occur but has low efficiency, and it can be spread by intimate personal contact, especially sexual contact, and by vertical transmission from mother to neonate. Incubation period averages about 90 days, with a range of 40 to 180 days, the clinical course is more variable than in hepatitis A. During the prodromal phase there may be fever, nausea, malaise, anorexia, and vomiting, which lessens with the onset of clinical jaundice, and urticaria, angioedema, arthritis, or, rarely, glomerulonephritis or a serum sickness like syndrome may occur. Most patients recover completely and become HBS Ag-negative in 3 to 4 months, some will remain chronic carriers or develop chronic active hepatitis or chronic persistent hepatitis. Massive hepatic necrosis (fulminant hepatitis) is an infrequent complication. In areas of high endemicity a relationship has been shown between hepatitis and virus infection, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, with the latter being one of the most common neoplasms. Previously called inoculation hepatitis, long incubation hepatitis, MS2 hepatitis, serum hepatitis, and homologous serum hepatitis or jaundice

Hepatitis B Antibodies--Antibodies to the hepatitis B antigens, including antibodies to the surface (Australia) and core of the Dane particle and those to the "e" antigens

Hepatitis B Antigens--Antigens of the virion of the Hepatitis B Virus or the Dane particle, its surface, core and other associated antigens, like the HBe antigen

Hepatitis B Core Antigens--Core protein antigen of the hepatitis B virus present inside complete virions (Dane particles) and in free core particles in the nuclei of infected cells; the antigen is not present in the blood of infected individuals, but anti-HBc antibodies appear during the acute infection; they do not protect against reinfection

Hepatitis B e Antigens--Core protein antigen of hepatitis B virus present in the blood in some infected individuals. Anti-HBe antibodies appear transiently during convalescence; they do not protect against reinfection

Hepatitis B Hyperimmune Globulin--has high antibody titre against HBsAg; given in conjunction with vacine for passive immunization

Hepatitis B Surface Antigens--Viral antigen of the hepatitis B virus detected by radioimmunoassay. An antigen that resembles a virus and is found in the sera especially of patients with hepatitis B -- alsoc called Australia antigen; abbr. HBsAg

Hepatitis B Vaccines--Vaccines or candidate vaccines containing inactivated hepatitis B or some of its component antigens and designed to prevent hepatitis B. Some vaccines may be recombinantly produced

Hepatitis B Virus--Unclassified DNA virus having complex, double-layered virions 42 nm in diameter, double-stranded genome, and three major antigens, the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), surface antigen (HBsAg), and e antigen (HBeAg). Etiologic agent of hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Virus, Duck--DNA virus that closely resembles human hepatitis B virus. It has been recovered from naturally infected ducks

Hepatitis B Virus Large Envelope Protein--Required for hepatitis B virion maturation; amino acid sequence has been determined

Hepatitis B Virus, Woodchuck--Orthohepadnavirus causing chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in woodchucks. It closely resembles the human hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis C--Viral disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, most common form of post-transfusion hepatitis; also follows parenteral drug abuse and is a common acute sporadic hepatitis, with approximately 50% of acutely infected persons developing chronic hepatitis. Chronic infection is generally mild and asymptomatic, but cirrhosis may occur

Hepatitis C Antibodies--Antibodies to the Hepatitis C antigens including antibodies to envelope, core, and non-structural proteins

Hepatitis C Antigens--Antigens of the virions of hepatitis C-like viruses, their, core, surface or other associated antigens

Hepatitis, Chronic Active--Chronic inflammation of the liver occurring as a sequel to hepatitis B or non-A, non-B hepatitis. The same disease may occur in congenital or acquired hypogammaglobulinemia, or in association with the administration of certain drugs. It is characterized by infiltration of portal areas by plasma cells and macrophages, piecemeal necrosis (destruction of hepatocytes in the periphery of lobules), and fibrosis. The course is highly variable; there may be long asymptomatic periods interspersed with periods of symptomatic hepatitis with malaise, jaundice fever, and anorexia; there may be extrahepatic manifestations, including amenorrhea, arthritis, thyroiditis, skin rashes, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis ulcerative colitis, and Sjogren's syndrome; or the disease may progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. Autoimmune pathogenesis is suspected. Also called autoimmune hepatitis, chronic aggressive hepatitis, plasma cell hepatitis, lupoid hepatitis, subacute hepatitis, and acute juvenile cirrhosis

Hepatitis C-Like Viruses--Genus of Flaviviridae causing parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (Hepatitis C) which is associated with transfusions and drug abuse. Hepatitis C virus is the type species

Hepatitis C Virus Envelope 2 Protein--RN refers to quasispecies 4E; amino acid sequence known

Hepatitis C Virus Nucleocapsid Protein--Antibodies against the above protein are found in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; amino acid sequence has been determined

Hepatitis E--Acute form of hepatitis caused by a virus serologically distinct from the agents of hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis E is associated with fecally contaminated water, is enterically transmitted, commonly found in tropical or subtropical countries

Hepatitis E Virus--Positive-stranded RNA virus species in the genus Calicivirus, causing enterically-transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (Hepatitis C)

Hepatitis, Infectious Canine--Adenovirus infection causing fever, edema, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs, especially puppies. In foxes it causes acute encephalitis with coma, convulsions, paralysis, and death

Hepatitis, Lupoid--Chronic active hepatitis associated with Lupus Erythematosus

Hepatitis, Non A Non B--Hepatitis clinically and immunologically similar to hepatitis A and hepatitis B but caused by different viruses

Hepatitis, Peliosis--An abnormal condition characterized by the occurrence of numerous small blood-filled cystic lesions throughout the liver

Hepatitis, Toxic--Hepatitis caused by true hepatotoxins and drugs which induce a hypersensitivity reaction

Hepatitis, Viral, Animal--Viral hepatitis in animals

Hepatitis, Viral, Human--Viral hepatitis in man

Hepatitis Virus, Duck--Highly fatal, rapidly spreading picornavirus disease of waterfowl ducklings, characterized primarily by hepatitis marked by an enlarged, mottled, hemorrhagic liver

Hepatitis Viruses--Any of the viruses that cause inflammation of the liver. Includes both RNA and DNA viruses as well viruses from humans and animals

Hepatization--Conversion of tissue (such as the lungs in pneumonia) into a substance which resembles liver tissue

© Vikki Shaw