What Is Viral Hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Researchers have discovered several different viruses that cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis E typically spread when a person consumes food or water that has been contaminated by an infected person’s stool. People may also get certain forms of hepatitis E by eating undercooked pork or wild animals, or if they consume water that has come in contact with stool from an infected animal.

Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D spread through contact with an infected person’s blood. Hepatitis B and D may also spread through contact with other body fluids. This contact can occur in many ways, including by sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex.

The hepatitis A and E viruses typically cause only acute infections. An acute infection lasts a short time, and then the virus goes away.

The hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can cause acute and chronic, or long-lasting, infections. Chronic hepatitis occurs when the hepatitis virus stays in your body and doesn’t go away. Chronic hepatitis can lead to problems such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis can prevent or lower your chances of developing these problems.

Not all hepatitis is caused by a virus. Other causes include autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic disease in which your body’s immune system attacks the liver. Some medicines and herbal supplements also can cause hepatitis.