Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of autoimmune hepatitis include:

• Being female. Although both males and females can develop autoimmune hepatitis, the disease is more common in females.
• A history of certain infections. Autoimmune hepatitis may develop after you're infected with the measles, herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is also linked to hepatitis A, B or C infection.
• Heredity. Evidence suggests that a predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis may run in families.
• Having an autoimmune disease. People who already have an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis), may be more likely to develop autoimmune hepatitis.