The three main types of hepatitis are known as hepatitis A, B, and C. Each is caused by a different virus. All three types can be acute, lasting for 6 months or less, and types B and C can be chronic, lasting for longer.
Each type has different characteristics and is transmitted in different ways, but symptoms tend to be similar.
Hepatitis A
In the United States (U.S.), 1,390 cases of hepatitis A were reported in 2015.
It is often mild, and most people make a full recovery, after which they are immune and therefore protected from the virus in the future. However, if it progresses, symptoms can be severe or life-threatening.
People in parts of the world with poor sanitation are particularly at risk of contracting HAV.
There are safe and effective vaccines that protect against this virus.
The liver’s functions include detoxifying the blood, storing vitamins, and producing hormones. Hepatitis can disrupt these processes and create severe health problems throughout the body.
At least five viruses can cause hepatitis. The three most common are hepatitis viruses A, B and C. Infection with any of these three can be fatal.
Other types of hepatitis can result from overconsumption of alcohol or an autoimmune condition. This article will look at hepatitis A, B, and C. These are forms of hepatitis transmitted by a virus.
In the United States, the incidence of hepatitis A has been falling for the last 20 years, but acute hepatitis C has seen an increase of 44 percent between 2011 and 2012.
