Hepatitis A
(HAV)
|
Hepatitis B
(HBV)
|
Hepatitis C
(HCV)
|
Hepatitis D
(HDV)
|
Hepatitis E
(HEV)
|
|
What is it?
|
|
HAV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It does not lead to chronic disease.
|
HBV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus can cause liver cell damage, leading to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and cancer.
|
HCV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. This infection can lead to cirrhosis and cancer.
|
HDV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It only infects people with HBV.
|
HEV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is rare in the United States. There is no chronic state.
|
|
Incubation period
|
|
15 to 50 days. Average 30 days.
|
45 to 160 days. Average 120 days.
|
2 to 25 weeks. Average 7 to 9 weeks.
|
2 to 8 weeks.
|
2 to 9 weeks. Average 40 days.
|
|
How is it spread?
|
|
Transmitted by fecal/oral route, through close person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food and water.
|
Contact with infected blood, seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, contaminated needles, including tattoo/body piercing tools. Infected mother to newborn. Human bite. Sexual contact.
|
Contact with infected blood, contaminated IV needles, razors and tattoo/body piercing tools. Infected mother to newborn. NOT easily spread through sex.
|
Contact with infected blood, contaminated needles. Sexual contact with HDV-infected person.
|
Transmitted through fecal/oral route. Outbreaks associated with contaminated water supply in other countries.
|
|
Symptoms
|
|
May have none. Adults may have light stools, dark urine, fatigue, fever and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
|
May have none. Some people have mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue and fever.
|
Even fewer acute cases seen than any other hepatitis. Otherwise same as HBV.
|
Same as HBV.
|
Same as HBV.
|
|
Treatment of chronic disease
|
|
No specific treatment.
|
Interferon and anti-virals.
|
Interferon (peginteferon) along with the antiviral ribavirin.
|
Interferon.
|
Supportive.
|
|
Vaccine
|
|
Two doses of vaccine, first dose at 12 months, second dose 6 months later.
|
At birth, a second dose between 1 and 2 months, third dose between 6 and 18 months.
|
None.
|
HBV vaccine prevents HDV infection.
|
None.
|
|
Who is at risk?
|
|
Household or sexual contact with an infected person or living in an area with HAV outbreak. Travelers to developing countries, men who have sex with men and IV and non-IV drug users.
|
Infant born to infected mother, having sex with infected person or multiple partners, IV drug users, emergency responders, health care workers, men who have sex with men, household contacts of chronically infected persons and dialysis patients.
|
Anyone who had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, health care workers, IV drug users, dialysis patients, infants born to infected mother and having multiple sex partners.
|
IV drug users, men who have sex with men, dialysis patients, healthcare workers, infants born to infected mothers and those having sex with a HDV infected person.
|
Travelers to developing countries, especially pregnant women.
|
|
Prevention
|
|
Get a hepatitis A vaccine.
Take immune globulin within two weeks of exposure.
Wash hands with soap and water after going to the toilet.
Use household bleach to clean surfaces contaminated with feces, such as changing tables.
Practice safe sex.
|
Get a hepatitis B vaccine.
Take immune globulin within two weeks of exposure.
Practice safe sex.
Clean up infected blood with bleach and wear protective gloves.
Don't share razors, toothbrushes or needles.
Don't inject street drugs.
Don't get a tattoo or body piercing.
|
Practice safe sex.
Clean up spilled blood with bleach. Wear gloves when touching blood.
Don't share razors or toothbrushes.
Don't inject street drugs.
Don't get a tattoo or body piercing.
|
Get a hepatitis B vaccine to prevent HBV infection.
Practice safe sex.
|
Avoid drinking or using potentially contaminated water.
Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet.
|
This article was reviewed and updated
June 2007.
