Hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D and E are unrelated viruses. Each of them can cause acute (short-term) viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B, C, and D can also cause chronic hepatitis, in which the infection is prolonged and sometimes lifelong. Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis

  • Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, and pale poop.
  • Fatigue.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Low-grade fever.
  • Headache.

However, some people do not have any acute symptoms and do not know they have been infected. Even without symptoms, they can still spread the virus.  

Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can occur in someone decades after their infection began. People who develop liver cirrhosis, failure, or cancer will often show symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and fatigue. 

How People Get Hepatitis B or C

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and sexual fluids, including at birth. Hepatitis C is spread mainly through blood. You are more at risk of getting hepatitis C while sharing needles or injection equipment and during health care procedures that lack infection prevention measures.

Who Can Get Hepatitis B or C

People most likely to get hepatitis B or C are:

  • People who use injection drugs.
  • People who received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1987.
  • People who live with or have sex with an infected person.
  • Immigrants and children of immigrants from areas with high rates of hepatitis B.
  • Infants born to an infected mother.
  • Hemodialysis patients.
  • Men who have sex with men.
  • People who have multiple sex partners.
  • Health care workers.
  • International travelers.

Someone can only become infected with hepatitis D if they are already infected with hepatitis B. Almost all cases of hepatitis D are in people who use injection drugs.

How to Prevent Hepatitis B, C, and D

The hepatitis B vaccine offers the best protection against hepatitis B and D. 

  • All infants and unvaccinated children, adolescents, and adults 19 through 59 years of age should be vaccinated. 
  • Adults aged 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B should also be vaccinated for hepatitis B. Adults aged 60 years and older without known risk factors for hepatitis B can receive the hepatitis B vaccination. 
  • For people who have not been vaccinated, reducing their exposure to the virus can help prevent Hepatitis B. 

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to avoid contracting hepatitis C is to reduce your exposure to the virus.

Reducing exposure to hepatitis B, C, and D means:

  • Never sharing needles or drug equipment.
  • Using condoms or barriers, which may lower the risk of transmission.
  • Not sharing any blood testing devices or medical equipment that touches blood.
  • Not sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers with people who are infected.

To prevent perinatal infections of hepatitis B, we work closely with local health agencies, laboratories, birthing hospitals, and healthcare providers. Learn about our Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program. 
 
Learn about hepatitis A and B vaccines.

Treatment for Hepatitis B, C, or D

Antiviral treatments can cure hepatitis C infection in as little as 8 weeks. While there is no cure for hepatitis B, antivirals can reduce the amount of hepatitis B virus in the body and slow the damage to the liver. See a health care provider to discuss options for chronic hepatitis management.

A person with any type of chronic viral hepatitis should take steps to protect their liver from further damage. Limit alcohol use and check with a health care provider about any medications taken, both prescription and non-prescription. 

More Resources

For the Public

Viral Hepatitis, CDC - Viral hepatitis disease information, statistics, research, and more.

Hepatitis B Foundation - Support for new hepatitis B diagnosis, treatment information, fact sheets, and more.

Hepatitis Education Project - Education, support, and advocacy on hepatitis issues.

For Healthcare Providers and Local Health

Notifiable Condition: Report Hepatitis B

Hep B Hub - Educational resources on hepatitis B in many languages.

Notifiable Condition: Report Hepatitis C

Hep C Hub - Educational resources on hepatitis C in several languages.

Notifiable Condition: Report Hepatitis D and E

Hepatitis and Liver Clinic at Harborview - Specialized evaluation and treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections and other chronic liver diseases.

Contact Us

For questions about hepatitis B, C, or D, contact Viral Hepatitis Program.