1. Will smooth muscle antibody (SMA) ever go away?
If it is due to a temporary condition, such as infectious mononucleosis, SMA may drop below detectible levels once the condition has resolved. If SMA is produced because of
autoimmune hepatitis, then it will be present throughout the patient's life, although levels may vary over time.
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2. Can I have more than one cause of hepatitis?
Yes. For instance,
autoimmune hepatitis can co-exist with a
viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis C, and can be exacerbated by liver damage caused by alcohol abuse. Since the treatment of hepatitis depends on the cause, it is very important that your doctor understand the underlying cause(s) of your condition.
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3. How fast does autoimmune hepatitis progress?
The course and severity of
autoimmune hepatitis is hard to predict. It may be
acute or
chronic. Many patients will have no or few symptoms for many years and are diagnosed when routine liver tests are abnormal. For more information, consult with your doctor and see the
related links.
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