Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Viruses are a major cause, although alcohol, medicines, toxins and autoimmune conditions can also inflame the liver. The five main hepatitis viruses are A, B, C, D and E.
How the viral types differ
The World Health Organization explains that hepatitis A and E commonly spread through contaminated food or water. They usually cause acute rather than chronic infection, although illness can still be severe.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and certain body fluids and can pass from mother to baby around birth. Hepatitis C is primarily blood-borne. Both B and C can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis D occurs only in people who have hepatitis B and can make liver disease more severe.
Symptoms and testing
Acute viral hepatitis may cause fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools or jaundice, but some infections cause few symptoms. Symptoms cannot identify the virus, so diagnosis relies on appropriate blood or other laboratory tests.
Prevention and treatment
Vaccines can prevent hepatitis A and B; protection against hepatitis B also prevents hepatitis D. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but modern antiviral treatment can cure most chronic infections. Treatment for hepatitis B can suppress the virus and reduce complications. Safe water, sanitation and food hygiene help prevent hepatitis A and E, while screened blood and sterile equipment reduce blood-borne transmission.
Anyone with possible exposure, jaundice or persistent liver-related symptoms should seek medical assessment rather than self-treating.
