What Is Autoimmune Hepatitis & Why Is It So Serious?

Risk Factors

Numerous factors can increase an individual's risk of developing autoimmune hepatitis, such as being female, as although both genders can develop this condition, it is more common in women, and genetics research has indicated a predisposition for this disease may run in families. If a patient has a history of certain infections, such as the measles, herpes simplex, or Epstein-Barr virus, they may develop autoimmune hepatitis after contracting one of these viruses. Autoimmune hepatitis has also been linked to hepatitis A, B, and C. Finally, if an individual has another autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Graves' disease, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, they may be more likely to develop autoimmune hepatitis. To learn more about other autoimmune diseases that could lead to autoimmune hepatitis, check out Uncommon Autoimmune Diseases Everyone Should Be Aware Of.

Did you know there are two types of autoimmune hepatitis? Continue reading to discover each of these types and how they affect the body now.