Читать книгу A Practical Approach to Special Care in Dentistry - Группа авторов - Страница 202

Hepatitis is an inflammatory process of the liver that is generally caused by viruses, toxins (typically alcohol and drugs) or autoimmune disorders. Viral hepatitis is caused by the action of viruses of the hepatitis virus family (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, HGV, SEN, TTV [Torque teno virus]), Herpes virus (Cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, Herpes simplex) and others (Coxsackie B) (Table 4.3.3).

HBV and HCV infections are of special interest in dentistry because they can become chronic, causing hepatic dysfunction. Furthermore, these viruses can be transmitted by contaminated blood or other bodily fluids (including saliva). It is currently estimated that more than 240 million individuals are chronic carriers of HBV and more than 70 million are carriers of HCV.