Autoimmune hepatitis is a liver condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy liver cells, leading to inflammation and damage. It is not contagious; it cannot be spread from person to person. This condition is an internal process, distinct from infectious diseases.
How Autoimmune Hepatitis Develops
Autoimmune hepatitis develops when the immune system, which normally defends the body, misidentifies liver cells as harmful. This results in an attack on these healthy liver cells. The continuous attack causes chronic inflammation and can lead to significant liver damage over time.
The exact trigger for this immune system malfunction remains unclear, but it is understood to be an interplay of several factors. Genetic predisposition plays a role, meaning some individuals may inherit genes that make them more susceptible to developing autoimmune disorders. Additionally, certain environmental triggers, such as specific infections or medications, are thought to potentially initiate the autoimmune response in genetically predisposed individuals.
Distinguishing Autoimmune Hepatitis from Contagious Liver Conditions
Understanding the non-contagious nature of autoimmune hepatitis is important, especially when distinguishing it from other types of liver inflammation that are infectious. Viral hepatitis, caused by specific viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C, is indeed contagious. These viral forms of hepatitis spread through distinct routes of transmission that are entirely different from how autoimmune hepatitis develops.
Hepatitis A and E viruses, for instance, are primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often by consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and D are typically spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, including unprotected sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles, or from mother to child during childbirth. Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood, most commonly through shared needles or unsterile medical equipment.
In contrast, autoimmune hepatitis is not caused by a virus or external pathogen. It stems from an internal immunological error where the body’s own defense mechanisms target its liver cells. Thus, it cannot be transmitted through close contact, shared food, sexual activity, or blood transfusions.
Managing Autoimmune Hepatitis
Managing autoimmune hepatitis primarily involves medical treatments aimed at suppressing the immune system’s attack on the liver. The main goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, prevent further liver damage, and manage symptoms. This approach helps to achieve remission and maintain liver function.
Medications such as corticosteroids, like prednisone, are commonly prescribed to quickly reduce liver inflammation. Often, another type of medication called an immunosuppressant, such as azathioprine, is used alongside corticosteroids or for long-term maintenance. Ongoing medical care and regular monitoring are important to adjust treatment as needed and to assess the liver’s health.