Viral Hepatitis At A Glance

• Many illnesses and conditions can cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
• Viruses that primarily attack the liver are called hepatitis viruses. There are several types of hepatitis viruses including types A, B, C, D, E, F (not yet confirmed), and G. Types A, B, and C are the most common.
• Those at risk for viral hepatitis include workers in the health care profession, people with multiple sexual partners, intravenous drug abusers, and hemophiliacs. Blood transfusion is a rare cause of viral hepatitis.
• All hepatitis viruses can cause acute hepatitis.
• Viral hepatitis types B and C can cause chronic hepatitis.
• Symptoms of acute viral hepatitis include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light-colored stools, fever, and jaundice. Rarely, acute viral hepatitis causes fulminant hepatic failure.
• The symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis often are mild and nonspecific, and the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis often is delayed.
• Chronic viral hepatitis often requires treatment in order to prevent progressive liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer
• Hepatitis infections can be prevented by avoiding exposure to viruses, injectable immunoglobulins or vaccines.

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