"An inflammation of the liver"

Hepatitis refers to several related diseases that lead to swelling and tenderness of the liver. Of six known hepatitis viruses–A, B, C, D, E, and G–the most common are hepatitis A, B, and C. Of these, chronic hepatitis B and C are the more common forms, and can both lead to serious, permanent liver damage and even liver cancer. Viruses most often cause hepatitis. Viruses are microorganisms that are smaller and simpler than cells. They are actually strings of genetic material carrying coded information, enclosed in a protein coat. Viruses live and reproduce inside cells, as does the hepatitis virus inside liver cells. Once inside a liver cell, hepatitis viruses take over the cells' actions, ordering them to reproduce and make more viruses. This process, which causes the liver cells to weaken and die, is responsible for the gradual destruction of the liver that occurs in some forms of hepatitis.



Acute and chronic hepatitis

Viral hepatitis can occur as an acute or chronic infection. An acute infection lasts for 6 months or less. In an acute infection, your body is able to rid itself of the virus without the help of medical therapy. Hepatitis A causes only an acute infection. An infection is considered chronic if it lasts longer than 6 months. Chronic infections are usually more serious than acute infections and require the help of medical treatment. Hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of chronic hepatitis.



Hepatitis A (HAV)

Viral hepatitis A (HAV), the least serious form of hepatitis, does not progress to chronic disease. Individuals may contract hepatitis A by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with infected human excrement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 125,000 people in the United States are infected each year with hepatitis A.

Risk factors for hepatitis A
The CDC lists household or sexual contact, day care attendance or employment, and recent international travel to areas with poor sanitation as the major known risk factors for infection by hepatitis A. Eating food prepared by infected food handlers and using contaminated needles are other risk factors.

Symptoms of hepatitis A
Some people with hepatitis A may not have any symptoms, especially children under 2 years old. But some infected individuals experience severe flu–like symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, violent vomiting, and pain in the liver area. Less common symptoms include dark urine, light–colored stools, and fever.

See "Testing for Hepatitis"
See "Questions You May Have"

Treating hepatitis A
Although there are tests to confirm a hepatitis A infection, medical treatment is not required to eliminate the virus. Doctors may prescribe medicines to treat the symptoms of hepatitis, such as headache and nausea, or order IV fluids to prevent dehydration. However, most hepatitis A patients can recover at home. Alcohol should be avoided, since, as a toxin, it weakens an already damaged liver.



Hepatitis B (HBV)

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a serious form of hepatitis that is spread through contact with infected blood. It is much more contagious than HIV and far more common. Nevertheless, most adults can fight off the infection without medical treatment. But in about 10 percent of patients, the hepatitis B infection becomes chronic. If chronic hepatitis B is left untreated, the risks of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer increase. A vaccine is available for the prevention of hepatitis B.

Risk factors for hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is easily spread through contact with infected blood. Although there are many ways to come in contact with blood, such as from cuts, nosebleeds, and menstrual bleeding, the CDC lists the following major ways that hepatitis B is contracted:


In addition, people who travel to countries where the hepatitis B virus is known to exist are at risk. Pregnant women can also pass the virus on to their babies.

Symptoms of hepatitis B
Some people with hepatitis B have no outward signs or symptoms. But others experience flu–like symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, weakness, and mild abdominal pain. Less common symptoms include dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

See "Testing for Hepatitis"
See "Questions You May Have"
See "Questions To Ask Your Doctor"

Treating hepatitis B
Proper treatment of hepatitis B is important. If you have had hepatitis B for more than 6 months, your doctor may feel that you need medical treatment to avoid permanent liver damage. Treatment keeps the virus under control and enables hepatitis B patients to have a longer and healthier life. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible – before the amount of virus in your blood gets too high. This improves your chances of having the treatment work and avoiding further damage to your liver.

Interferon
Interferon is a protein made naturally by your body to boost your immunity and to regulate other cell functions. A manufactured form of interferon is available for the treatment of hepatitis B. Taking interferon involves giving yourself injections. The interferon will boost your immune system in its attack on the infected liver cells, and help to protect healthy cells from infection.

See more about interferon as a treatment for hepatitis B in the section, "INTRON® A (Interferon alfa–2b, recombinant) for Injection Therapy."

See "Available Treatments"
See "Questions to Ask Your Doctor"



Hepatitis C (HCV)

The most serious form of hepatitis, hepatitis C (HCV), currently affects over 4 million Americans. In 85 percent of infected patients, it can develop into a chronic infection. If left untreated, hepatitis C patients risk developing cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Liver failure due to hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.

Risk factors for hepatitis C
Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C is easily spread by blood, including blood from cuts, nosebleeds, and menstrual blood. You are particularly at risk if you:



The risk of contracting hepatitis C through sexual contact is very low, except for people with multiple partners. About one–third of hepatitis C patients never know how they acquired the infection.

Symptoms of hepatitis C
Most people with hepatitis C have no outward signs or symptoms. But others experience flu–like symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, weakness, and mild abdominal pain. Less common symptoms include dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Fulminant hepatitis
Having one form of hepatitis does not protect a patient from getting other forms. People with hepatitis C who also contract hepatitis A are at high risk for fulminant hepatitis – a very deadly, quickly developing form of the disease. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that hepatitis C patients get vaccinated against hepatitis A.

See "Testing for Hepatitis"
See "Questions You May Have"
See "Questions to Ask Your Doctor"

Treating hepatitis C
If you have had hepatitis C for more than 6 months, your doctor may feel that you need medical treatment to avoid permanent liver damage. Treatment keeps the virus under control and enables hepatitis C patients to have a longer and healthier life. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible–before the amount of virus in your blood gets too high. This improves your chances of having the treatment work and avoiding further damage to your liver.

Interferon
Interferon is a protein made naturally by your body to boost your immunity and to regulate other cell functions. A manufactured form of interferon is available for the treatment of hepatitis C. Taking interferon involves giving yourself injections three times per week. The interferon will boost your immune system in its attack on the infected liver cells, and help to protect healthy cells from infection. The most common side effects of this therapy are mild–to–moderate flu–like symptoms, which you can manage on your own or with your doctor's help.

See more about interferon as a treatment for hepatitis C in the section, "INTRON® A Therapy."

See "Available Treatments"
See "Questions to Ask Your Doctor"

Combination therapy
Combination therapy is an approach to treating chronic hepatitis C. It involves taking a drug called ribavirin along with interferon. Combination therapy may be used for initial treatment in patients with hepatitis C and in patients who relapse after initial treatment with interferon alone. See more about combination therapy as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C in the section, "REBETRON™ Combination Therapy containing REBETOL® (Ribavirin, USP) Capsules and INTRON® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) Injection."