Hepatitis: Causes & Types

Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver. If a person has hepatitis, their liver may be inflamed or damaged.

What causes hepatitis?

Many different things can cause hepatitis. They include:

*  A virus

*  Contaminated objects like needles or medical equipment

*  Heavy alcohol use

*  Certain medications

*  Some medical conditions

Different types of hepatitis

Hepatitis A:

*  Is spread through contaminated food, drinks or objects.

*  Can make you sick for weeks or months, but most people recover.

*  Can be prevented with a vaccine.

Hepatitis B:

*  Is spread through blood, semen or other body fluids.

*  Can spread through sex, sharing personal items or sharing needles.

*  Can cause long-term liver problems like liver failure and cancer.

*  Can be prevented with a vaccine.

Hepatitis C:

*  Is spread through blood.

*  Can spread when people share needles or other equipment.

*  Causes long-term infection in about half of all cases.

*  Can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.

*  More than 90 percent of people can be cured with proper medical treatment – new treatment has very few side effects.

Ask your doctor about hepatitis

Many people may have hepatitis and don’t know it. You may not have any symptoms at first. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can find out if you need a vaccine or if you should get tested for hepatitis. Proper medical care can help prevent, treat or cure this disease.