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Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. The liver is located in the upper right part of the belly (abdomen). Hepatitis can be caused by a virus that leads to damage of liver cells.
Hepatitis has 2 types:
There are 5 main kinds of the hepatitis virus. They are:
You can learn more about these below.
This type of hepatitis is often spread by infected stool that comes in contact with the mouth. Or it is spread by food and water that has been tainted by stool. In rare cases, it may be spread by infection from contact with blood. In other rare cases, it may be spread by blood-borne infection. Here are some ways that hepatitis A can be spread:
A highly protective vaccine for hepatitis A is now available. It's available for babies at 12 months and older. Adults who are at risk are advised to be vaccinated. But any adult who wants the vaccine can get it.
Hepatitis B (HBV) has a wide range of symptoms. It can be mild, with no symptoms. Or it may cause long-term (chronic) hepatitis. In some cases, it can lead to liver failure and death. Hepatitis B virus can spread through body fluids. This includes blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva.
In developed countries, the main ways to get hepatitis B are:
Around the world, the main way babies get hepatitis B is during childbirth. Infants are very likely to get the disease if they are born to someone who has the virus. They are also very likely to get the disease if they are not vaccinated within 24 hours of birth. More protection is provided if the baby receives hepatitis B immune globulin immediately after birth if they were born to someone who has hepatitis. The parent is often treated during pregnancy to reduce the risk of giving hepatitis B to the baby. Infected children can spread the virus to other children through bloody scrapes or cuts.
People who are at risk for hepatitis B include:
A vaccine for hepatitis B does exist. It is available to babies starting at birth. It is also available for children, teens, and adults. Hepatitis B is treatable. It is controllable. But it is not curable.
The symptoms of hepatitis C are often mild and happen slowly. Children and adults often show no symptoms at all. Hepatitis C is mainly spread from contact with infected blood. It can also happen from sexual contact. Or it can be spread to a baby during pregnancy. In some cases, it's not clear how it was spread. Hepatitis C has milder symptoms at first. But it leads to long-term (chronic) liver disease in most adults who are infected. According to the CDC, hepatitis C is the main reason for needing a liver transplant. It is also the main cause of liver cancer in the U.S.
People who may be at risk for hepatitis C include:
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. People who are at risk should be checked regularly for hepatitis C. People who have hepatitis C should be watched closely for signs of chronic hepatitis and liver failure. There is a treatment for HCV. It has a very high cure rate and changes a person's health and future outlook.
This form of hepatitis can happen only if you have hepatitis B. If a person has hepatitis B and does not show symptoms, or shows very mild symptoms, infection with hepatitis D can put that person at risk for liver failure and liver cancer that progresses rapidly. Hepatitis D can happen at the same time as the first infection with B. Or it may show up much later as a new "superinfection." Hepatitis D spreads the same way as hepatitis B. But it is less common for someone who is infected during pregnancy to spread it to the baby. Hepatitis D is curable with treatment in about 15% of people.
This form of hepatitis is similar to hepatitis A. It is spread by infected stool that comes in contact with the mouth. Or it is spread by food and water that has been tainted by stool. It is less common than hepatitis A. Hepatitis E is most common in developing countries. It is also seen in the U.S. There is no vaccine for hepatitis E at this time in the U.S. But there is a vaccine in China that has a high protective level. Hepatitis E is a serious health concern during pregnancy.
In the U.S.:
What is acute hepatitis?
What is chronic hepatitis?
Acute hepatitis is quite common in the U.S.
Causes. Common causes of acute hepatitis may include:
Symptoms. Acute hepatitis often starts with flu-like symptoms.
Each person may have different symptoms. They may include:
The symptoms of acute hepatitis may be like those of other health problems. See your doctor for a diagnosis.
Diagnosis. A doctor will ask about your health history. They will also give you a physical exam. You may have blood tests to check liver function and damage.
Treatment. Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.
Treatment varies depending on the type of acute hepatitis (viral or nonviral). You may need to stay in the hospital if you have severe, acute hepatitis.
People who have had acute viral hepatitis may become chronic carriers of the disease. You will need to take special care to prevent the spread of the disease.
Some people don't recover fully from acute hepatitis. They develop chronic hepatitis. This means the liver continues to have more damage and inflammation. Hepatitis is called chronic if the virus is present in your blood for longer than 6 months. Chronic hepatitis can last years.
Types of chronic hepatitis include:
Causes. Some viruses, genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and medicines may cause chronic hepatitis in some people, but not in others. Some common causes include:
Symptoms. Symptoms are often mild. The liver damage continues. But its progression is often slow. Each person may have different symptoms. Some people may have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms, such as:
The symptoms of chronic hepatitis may be like those of other health problems. See your doctor for a diagnosis.
Diagnosis. A doctor will ask about your health history. They will also give you a physical exam. You may also have tests, such as:
Treatment. Treatment will depend on the cause of your hepatitis, and sometimes your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.
The goal of treatment is to stop damage to the liver and ease symptoms. Treatment may include:
Having good personal health (hygiene) habits is the key to preventing the spread of many diseases, including hepatitis. Other preventive measures include: