Toxic Hepatitis

Toxic hepatitis, or liver toxicity, is liver swelling (inflammation) that results from contact with a harmful substance (toxin), whether you:

• Touched something toxic.
• Breathed toxic air.
• Swallowed something toxic.

Liver inflammation can also occur if you take too much of certain medications or drink too much alcohol. Over time, inflammation causes permanent liver damage.

What does your liver do?

Your liver is one of your largest organs. It helps clean (filter) your blood and remove toxins from your body.

Are there different types of toxic hepatitis?

Types of toxic hepatitis include:

• Acute toxic hepatitis: This type develops suddenly. Symptoms occur immediately or shortly after exposure to a toxic substance.
• Chronic toxic hepatitis: This type may take longer to develop. You may not have any hepatitis symptoms for weeks or months.

Healthcare providers also categorize types of hepatitis according to the cause:

• Chemical-induced hepatitis: You develop this because of exposure to chemicals through ingesting, breathing or touching the chemical.
• Drug-induced hepatitis: You develop this type because of taking too much of certain medications, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other drugs.
• Alcohol-induced hepatitis: This type is due to alcohol use disorder, especially if you also use recreational drugs.