Editing Hepatitis (section)

=== Chronic hepatitis ===
Acute cases of hepatitis are seen to be resolved well within a six-month period. When hepatitis is continued for more than six months it is termed chronic hepatitis.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Munjal|first1=Y. P.|last2=Sharm|first2=Surendra K.|title=API Textbook of Medicine, Ninth Edition, Two Volume Set|date=2012|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=9789350250747|page=870|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L7pW3yGjj7kC&pg=PA870|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910162730/https://books.google.com/books?id=L7pW3yGjj7kC&pg=PA870|archive-date=2017-09-10}}</ref> Chronic hepatitis is often asymptomatic early in its course and is detected only by liver laboratory studies for [[Screening (medicine)|screening]] purposes or to evaluate non-specific symptoms.<ref name="Khalili & Burman" /><ref name="Harrison's Principles, chapter 362 (Chronic)" /> As the inflammation progresses, patients can develop constitutional symptoms similar to acute hepatitis, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and joint pain.<ref name="Harrison's Principles, chapter 362 (Chronic)" /> Jaundice can occur as well, but much later in the disease process and is typically a sign of advanced disease.<ref name="Harrison's Principles, chapter 362 (Chronic)" /> Chronic hepatitis interferes with hormonal functions of the liver which can result in acne, [[hirsutism]] (abnormal hair growth), and [[Amenorrhoea|amenorrhea]] (lack of menstrual period) in women.<ref name="Harrison's Principles, chapter 362 (Chronic)" /> Extensive damage and scarring of the liver over time defines [[cirrhosis]], a condition in which the liver's ability to function is permanently impeded.<ref name="Khalili & Burman" /> This results in jaundice, weight loss, coagulopathy, [[ascites]] (abdominal fluid collection), and [[peripheral edema]] (leg swelling).<ref name="Harrison's Principles, chapter 362 (Chronic)" /> Cirrhosis can lead to other life-threatening complications such as [[hepatic encephalopathy]], [[esophageal varices]],  [[hepatorenal syndrome]], and [[Hepatocellular carcinoma|liver cancer]].<ref name="Khalili & Burman" />