Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is now a curable disease. Oral antiviral pills taken for 8 to 12 weeks clear the virus in more than 95% of people. What it is, how it spreads and how it is treated.
Trustworthy medical information
Liver diseases, explained with rigor and care
Trustworthy medical information about hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver and other liver diseases, written and reviewed by Dr. Alejandro Soza, hepatologist in Santiago, Chile.
Topics
Browse by clinical area.
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E: how they spread, what symptoms they cause and their current treatments.
Cirrhosis
Causes, complications and treatment of advanced chronic liver damage.
Fatty liver
Steatotic liver disease (MASLD): the most common cause of liver damage in Chile.
Lab tests
What transaminases, bilirubin, GGT and other liver tests mean.
Symptoms and signs
Jaundice, dark urine, ascites, itching and other signs of liver disease.
Liver tumors
Benign and malignant tumors of the liver and bile ducts.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Genetic diseases
Hemochromatosis, Gilbert syndrome and polycystic liver disease.
Toxins and drugs
Liver damage from alcohol, acetaminophen, mushrooms and other substances.
Liver transplant
When a liver transplant is needed and what the process involves.
Research
Studies and clinical trials on liver diseases.
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Fatty liver
Fatty liver disease (MASLD)
Fatty liver, now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the most common liver disease. What it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Cirrhosis is advanced scarring of the liver. What causes it today, how it is detected, its complications, and why treating the cause can halt or even reverse the damage.
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis B: transmission, prevention and treatment
What hepatitis B is, how it spreads, why the vaccine prevents it, and how chronic infection is treated with oral antivirals. A guide for patients.
Recent articles
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Liver tumors
Hepatocellular adenoma: what it means and when it needs treatment
A hepatocellular adenoma is benign, but some may bleed or grow. Learn how hormones, obesity, pregnancy and tumor size affect treatment and follow-up.
Liver transplant
The first months after a liver transplant: care and warning signs
A practical guide to the first months after a liver transplant: follow-up, immunosuppressants, safe recovery, infection prevention and warning signs.
Liver transplant
Long-term care after a liver transplant
After the first year of a liver transplant, medication, preventive care and sustainable daily habits protect both the transplanted liver and overall health.
Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis D testing: who should be tested
Hepatitis D affects only people with hepatitis B and can accelerate cirrhosis. Learn who should be tested and how active infection is confirmed.
Cirrhosis
Compensated cirrhosis: follow-up and care
Compensated cirrhosis can remain stable for years. Learn which regular follow-up checks help prevent decompensation and detect liver cancer early.
Toxins and drugs
Herbal supplements and liver injury
Herbal supplements, weight-loss products and sports preparations can injure the liver. Learn the warning signs and what to do if you suspect a reaction.