The Hepatitis Viruses
Transmission | Symptoms and Prognosis | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
Ingestion of something contaminated with the stool of an infected person, usually because of poor hygiene or inadequate sanitation (called the fecal-oral route). | Usually no symptoms in young children Usually in older children and adults, typical symptoms of acute hepatitis (poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and often jaundice) Usually complete recovery Does not become chronic | Use of good hygiene when handling food and avoidance of contaminated water Vaccination against hepatitis A for all children and for adults likely to be exposed to the infection If people are exposed to hepatitis A, hepatitis A vaccine or standard immune globulin* |
Less easily transmitted than hepatitis A Contact with blood and other body fluids (such as semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva)—as occurs during the following:
| Generally more serious than hepatitis A and occasionally fatal More severe symptoms when people with hepatitis B also have hepatitis D Joint pains and itchy red hives on the skin (wheals) in addition to typical symptoms of acute hepatitis Can become chronic, with increased risk of liver cancer | Avoidance of high-risk behavior, such as sharing needles to inject drugs and having several sex partners Vaccination against hepatitis B for all children (starting at birth) and for people likely to be exposed to the infection |
Contact with blood and other body fluids (such as semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva)—as occurs during the following:
| At first, usually mild or no symptoms but sometimes alternating between mild and more severe symptoms Becomes chronic in about 75% of people, with increased risk of severe scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer, but usually only if cirrhosis has developed first | Avoidance of high-risk behavior, such as sharing needles to inject drugs and getting tattoos and body piercings No vaccine currently available |
Contact with blood and other body fluids (such as semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva)—as occurs during the following:
| Occurs only as a coinfection with hepatitis B and usually makes the hepatitis B infection more severe | Same as for hepatitis B:
|
Ingestion of something contaminated with the stool of an infected person (called the fecal-oral route), usually because of poor hygiene or inadequate sanitation Occasionally consumption of meat from an infected animal | Severe symptoms, especially in pregnant women Does not usually become chronic | Vaccination against hepatitis E (currently available only in China) |
† A pregnant woman infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C can transmit the virus to her baby. | ||