Your liver is the largest organ inside your body - and just as important. It helps break down and process the foods and medicines we eat or drink - everything that enters your body goes through it! It also produces bile that helps break down fat eaten in meals. Simply put it helps our bodies recycle what is usable and break down what should be sent out.

Hepatitis (an irritation of the liver) can be caused by many things. Viruses can get into the body that hurt your liver. Currently there are three main types of hepatitis caused by viruses. The table below shows how they are spread:

Typically spread through -

• Hepatitis A: Enters by contaminated food or drink/li>
• Hepatitis B: Blood & body fluids
• Hepatitis C: Blood & body fluids

All of them can cause illness - or even lead to death. Drinking too much alcohol can also hurt the liver. Blood tests are available, in addition to the physical exam that can tell your primary care provider how well your liver is doing.

Veterans concerned about their liver should talk with their primary care provider to discuss ways to keep it healthy. Those who are at risk for liver disease can be vaccinated against hepatitis. Currently vaccines exist against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. There is also Hepatitis C which spreads through blood or sexual intercourse. Your health care provider would know how best maintain your liver's health.