What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the body’s response to irritation or injury, typically resulting in pain, redness, and swelling.
There are many causes of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is caused by a virus and can be either acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting more than six months). Viral hepatitis can be transmitted from person to person, and some types can be spread through sexual contact.
Hepatitis A
This form of hepatitis does not lead to chronic infection and usually has no complications. The liver typically heals from hepatitis A within two months. However, occasional deaths from hepatitis A have occurred due to liver failure. Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination.
Hepatitis B
This form infects between 200,000 and 300,000 people in the U.S. each year. Most people recover from the virus within six months, but some may develop a chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis causes ongoing damage to the liver, and the younger a person is when infected with hepatitis B, the more likely the infection is to become chronic. Individuals can be carriers of the virus without feeling ill and can still transmit it. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver disease in the Western world and is the primary reason for liver transplants. At least 80% of patients with hepatitis C develop chronic liver infection. Those suffering from chronic hepatitis C often do not exhibit symptoms. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C.
Most people recover from hepatitis, and the disease can often be prevented. However, it is still considered a serious health risk because it can:
- Destroy liver tissue
- Spread easily from person to person
- Weaken the body’s immune system
- Lead to liver failure
- Lead to liver cancer
- Result in death
