Viral hepatitis is a liver condition caused by an infection. There are different types of viral hepatitis, each caused by a different virus. All types of viral hepatitis can cause the liver to become swollen or damaged. Thousands of people in the U.S. become infected with viral hepatitis each year, but most don't know they have it.
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What Is Viral Hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is a liver condition caused by an infection. There are different types of viral hepatitis, each caused by a different virus. All types of viral hepatitis can cause the liver to become swollen or damaged. Thousands of people in the U.S. have viral hepatitis each year, but most don't know they have it.
What are the types of viral hepatitis?
You can contract the viruses that cause viral hepatitis in several ways. The type of hepatitis you have depends on the virus that causes your infection.
Viral hepatitis types include:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is usually found in feces (poop). It is spread by putting something in your mouth, eating food, or drinking water that is HAV-contaminated, or by having sex with an HAV-infected partner. Hepatitis A infections generally clear up without treatment within two to five weeks.
Hepatitis B
Caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), this liver condition can lead to chronic (long-term) infection and serious health problems, including cancer, liver failure, and death. HBV is spread through close contact with the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal fluids, and may be passed to newborns during childbirth.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is carried in the blood of infected people. HCV is spread primarily through contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles for IV drugs or other items that have HCV-infected blood on them, getting a tattoo or piercing with HCV-infected equipment, or being accidentally stuck by an HCV-infected needle, which is a risk for health care workers.
Between 3 million and 10 million people in the U.S. are carriers of the virus, and most are unaware because 80% of people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. About 15% will clear the virus from their systems within six months; the rest will develop some level of chronic disease.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which is known as a "satellite virus" because it can only occur in individuals who already have hepatitis B. People with hepatitis D can have more severe symptoms than those who are infected with HBV alone.
Hepatitis E
Caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis E is found primarily in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water. It can also be caused by eating raw or undercooked pork, venison, wild boar, or shellfish. Most people with hepatitis E recover fully without any long-term liver problems but, in rare cases, it can become chronic in people with compromised immune systems.
What causes viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis infections happen in different ways, including:
- Contact with an infected person's stool.
- During childbirth.
- Eating undercooked or tainted foods, or by drinking water that isn't clean.
- Sharing infected needles.
- Touching an infected person's body fluids, including blood or semen.
Viral hepatitis risk factors
Viral hepatitis can affect anyone, but certain factors can increase the risk of infection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk factors for viral hepatitis include:
- Blood transfusions and solid organ transplants — Receiving blood or organs from an infected donor can transmit hepatitis B and C.
- Chronic liver disease — People with chronic liver disease are at higher risk for severe outcomes if they contract hepatitis A or E.
- Close contact — Living with someone who has hepatitis B or C can increase your risk of infection
- Health care exposure — Health care workers who are exposed to blood and body fluids are at higher risk.
- HIV infection — People with HIV are at higher risk for hepatitis B and C.
- IV drug use — Sharing needles or other IV drug equipment can spread hepatitis B and C.
- Mother-to-baby transmission — Hepatitis B can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
- Sexual contact — Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected can spread hepatitis B or C.
- Tattooing and piercing — Getting tattoos or piercings with unsterilized equipment can spread hepatitis B and C.
- Travel to high-risk areas — Countries with high rates of hepatitis A or E, where sanitation and clean water may be lacking, have an increased risk.
Without treatment, viral hepatitis can damage your liver over time. This damage affects how your liver removes toxins and can lead to serious health problems.
People who have viral hepatitis are at higher risk of:
- Cirrhosis and complications.
- End-stage liver disease or liver failure.
- Liver cancer.
Complications of viral hepatitis
If viral hepatitis is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), untreated viral hepatitis can result in:
- Liver cancer — Untreated hepatitis B and C infections are significant risk factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.
- Liver damage — Chronic hepatitis can cause progressive liver damage, leading to conditions like cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue.
- Liver failure — Severe liver damage can lead to liver failure, where the liver loses its ability to function properly.
- Mortality — Chronic hepatitis C, in particular, has been associated with a higher risk of death due to liver-related complications.
How can I reduce my risk of viral hepatitis?
You can protect yourself from viral hepatitis by avoiding behavior that increases your risk of infection.
Help prevent viral hepatitis infection by:
- Getting the vaccine for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- Not sharing personal items with others, such as toothbrushes or razors.
- Using a condom during sex.
- Washing your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
If you're an IV drug user, never share needles or use dirty needles.
How common is viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is quite common in the U.S. and has become a significant public health concern. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), millions of Americans are living with viral hepatitis, most without knowing it.
HHS data show:
Hepatitis C — Approximately 2.4 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be living with hepatitis C. The actual number may range from 2.5 million to 4.7 million. About 51% of them do not know they’re infected.
Hepatitis B — Around 850,000 people in the U.S. are estimated to be living with hepatitis B. The actual number may range from 730,000 to 2.2 million. About 67% of them do not know they’re infected.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis?
Symptoms of viral hepatitis are very similar, no matter which type you have.
These symptoms include:
- Dark urine.
- Fatigue, or feeling extremely tired.
- Itchy skin.
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Lack of appetite.
- Light or clay-colored stools.
- Stomach pain and nausea.
If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know. Your doctor might want you to have a blood test.
Some people with viral hepatitis — mostly hepatitis C — don't have any symptoms at all. That's why every adult should get screened for hepatitis C at least once. Your doctor may also urge you to get tested if you are pregnant or have ever used IV drugs.
When should I see a doctor about my viral hepatitis symptoms?
If you have symptoms of viral hepatitis, make an appointment with your health care provider as soon as possible. Early diagnosis often can provide better treatment outcomes.
How Do You Diagnose Viral Hepatitis?
Doctors at the UPMC can diagnose viral hepatitis even if you don't have symptoms.
If your doctor suggests hepatitis screening, you can get a blood test that looks for one or more viral infections. These tests tell doctors if you have viral hepatitis right now or if you had it at another time.
Doctors also use certain tests to see if viral hepatitis has damaged your liver.
How Do You Treat Viral Hepatitis?
Doctors can't always cure viral hepatitis, but certain treatments can help keep your liver healthy. The goal of viral hepatitis treatment is to prevent long-term damage to your liver.
You should expect to see your doctor routinely to track your liver's health and any symptoms you're having.
Lifestyle changes to treat viral hepatitis A or B
If you have active hepatitis A or hepatitis B, your doctor might suggest these lifestyle changes to help keep your liver healthy:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Exercising.
- Limiting salt.
Medicine to treat viral hepatitis C
If you have hepatitis C, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. These are drugs that clear the virus from your body.
Surgery for viral hepatitis
Left untreated, viral hepatitis can cause issues such as liver failure or end-stage liver disease. The only treatment option for liver failure is transplant.
Liver transplant surgery replaces your failing liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
Why Choose UPMC for Viral Hepatitis Care?
Our doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating all forms of liver care, including viral hepatitis. We offer complete care tailored to your unique needs to help manage any complications of viral hepatitis.
We also work closely with the UPMC Liver Cancer Center and the Liver Transplant Program for seamless, advanced treatment, if you need it.
