Hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver and its cells. The liver is an essential organ that aids the removal of toxins from the blood, stores vitamins, and produces hormones. Other exemplary functions of the liver include:

• bile production to help digest food
• excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, etc.
• breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into simpler forms
• activation of enzymes, which are specialized proteins essential to body functions
• storage of glycogen, minerals, and vitamins
• synthesis of blood proteins, such as albumin

The inflammation due to hepatitis can disrupt the function of the liver.