Viral

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation and damage to the liver. The hepatitis A virus typically spreads through contact with food or water contaminated by the stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A is an acute infection, meaning most people recover without treatment within a few weeks. In rare instances, it can be severe and lead to liver failure, necessitating an emergency liver transplant for survival. Unlike chronic liver conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term complications because the infection is brief.

To protect yourself from hepatitis A, you can get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that leads to liver inflammation and damage. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B can result in either an acute or chronic infection.

You can protect yourself from hepatitis B by getting vaccinated.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that leads to liver inflammation and damage. The hepatitis C virus is transmitted through contact with an infected person’s blood. Hepatitis C can result in either an acute or chronic infection. Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, you can take steps to protect yourself from infection by getting screened. If you have hepatitis C, consult your doctor about treatment options. Medications can cure most cases of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D is a viral infection that causes inflammation and damage to the liver. The hepatitis D virus is unique because it can only infect individuals who already have a hepatitis B virus infection, making it a double infection. You can protect yourself from hepatitis D by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis D spreads in the same manner as hepatitis B, through contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. The hepatitis D virus can cause either an acute or chronic infection, or both.

Hepatitis E is a viral infection that leads to liver inflammation and damage. The hepatitis E virus has various types that spread in different ways. Some types spread through drinking contaminated water, which is more common in developing countries such as parts of Africa, Asia, Central America, and the Middle East but can also occur in the US. Other types spread through eating undercooked pork or wild game, like deer, and are more common in developed countries. Hepatitis E typically causes an acute, or short-term, infection but can cause chronic hepatitis in some situations.