Hepatitis

Hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation, disrupts the liver's essential functions, such as nutrient processing and blood filtration. The World Health Organization identifies five primary types: A through E, each with distinct transmission vectors and clinical courses (Lavanchy, 2004, Journal of Viral Hepatitis). For instance, Hepatitis A is usually transmitted via fecal-oral routes, while types B and C often result from exposure to infected blood (Alter and Seeff, 2000, Hepatology). In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) frames hepatitis through two primary disharmonious patterns: lung Qi and spleen Qi deficiencies (Ziaei et al., 2016, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences). Lung Qi deficiency compromises Qi's defensive, dispersing, and descending functions, inducing fatigue and weakness, while spleen Qi deficiency has its own array of symptoms and functional impairments (Chen and Chen, 2004, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology). Both Western and TCM perspectives offer unique diagnostic criteria and treatment modalities, highlighting the multifaceted nature of hepatitis management.