What are the types of hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is the most common type of hepatitis. It is caused by one of several viruses (A
, B, C, D, and E). In the U.S., the most common forms are:
Other types of hepatitis include when liver damage is caused by a consumed substance (i.e., alcoholic hepatitis caused by heavy alcohol use, and toxic hepatitis caused by certain poisons, chemicals, medicines, or supplements); also, autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic condition when a person's immune system attacks their own liver.
Some people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. For an acute infection, symptoms can start anywhere between 2 weeks to 6 months after one is infected. For chronic infection, however, symptoms may not appear until many years later. Symptoms are similar for the various viruses: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
How is hepatitis spread?
Viral hepatitis spreads in different ways depending on the form of virus:
- Hepatitis A and E is usually spread through contact with food or water that was contaminated with an infected person's stool.
- Hepatitis E by eating undercooked pork, deer, or shellfish.
- Hepatitis B, C, and D is spread through contact with the blood of someone who has the disease.
- Hepatitis B and D may also spread through contact with other body fluids. This can happen in many ways, such as sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex.
Who is at risk for hepatitis?
The risks can vary depending on the different types of hepatitis. For example:
- Risk is higher with most of the viral types if you have unprotected sex.
- People who drink heavily over long periods of time are at risk for alcoholic hepatitis.
- Military veterans have a higher risk of developing a hepatitis C infection, especially if they served during the Vietnam era. This may be because military veterans may have more of the traditional risk factors for the condition, such as using injected drugs, along with having had transfusions or tattoos.
- In contrast with veterans, people on active duty in the military have a lower risk. This may be due to less frequent injection drug use because the military carries out mandatory testing for harmful drugs in the service.
NOTE: Though military medical screening and vaccination requirements are established to protect Service members, small portions of the military population may have or may develop a form of viral hepatitis.
How is hepatitis diagnosed?
Hepatitis must be diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms, medical history, examination, blood tests, and possibly additional imaging tests and/or a liver biopsy.
What are the treatments for hepatitis?
Treatment for hepatitis depends on which type you have and whether it is acute or chronic. Acute viral hepatitis often goes away on its own. To feel better, you may just need to rest and get enough fluids. But in some cases, it may be more serious and need specific medical treatment in a hospital. Chronic hepatitis can lead to liver failure or liver cancer, requiring a liver transplant.
How can hepatitis be prevented?
Practice safe sex (condoms), reduce drinking, avoid unsanitary use of needles or unsanctioned tattoo parlors.
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