Symptoms & Spread

Viral hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases that affect the liver. They include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and others. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination and are therefore also referred to as vaccine-preventable hepatitis (VPH). There is no vaccination for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A is passed in the stool of infected persons. Transmission is from person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and water.

Symptoms may include fatigue, jaundice, appetite loss, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and fever.

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread through contact with contaminated blood or other body fluids. HBV can be spread via tattoo needles, injection drug use, and unprotected sex. Also, if you were to become injured, for example, following an accident, you could be exposed to the disease from medical instruments and equipment tainted with infected blood.

Symptoms may include fatigue, jaundice, appetite loss, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and fever.

With both forms of hepatitis, an infected person may experience different degrees of symptoms. Some may exhibit no signs of the disease, while others may suffer months of severe symptoms.

If left unresolved, hepatitis B can result in a lifelong infection, cirrhosis (a type of scarring of the liver), cancer of the liver, and liver failure. Both forms of vaccine-preventable hepatitis can result in death.

Learn more about prevention of
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.