{"id":12905,"date":"2020-07-09T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T16:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=12905"},"modified":"2025-06-24T16:45:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T20:45:59","slug":"hepatitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hepatitis\/","title":{"rendered":"Hepatitis 101: How to prevent\u2013and\u2014treat an infection"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve been feeling extra tired and achy lately. You\u2019ve lost your appetite\u2014and you\u2019re experiencing nausea and vomiting, maybe with a fever. These could be signs of the seasonal flu, or another more serious illness (like COVID-19). But, if you\u2019ve also noticed yellowing of your eyes or skin, it could be hepatitis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a common condition., a<\/span>nd it can be serious without appropriate treatment. Learn the risk factors for hepatitis, how to prevent it, and what to do if you\u2019re infected.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is hepatitis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. A virus is the most common cause of this condition\u2014but can also be triggered by drug or alcohol abuse, an autoimmune reaction, or chronic disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When left untreated, acute hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer, or even require a liver transplant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of hepatitis<\/span><\/h2>\n

When people think of hepatitis, they often think of viral infections that target the liver, says<\/span> Robert Fontana<\/span><\/a>, MD, medical director of liver transplantation at the University of Michigan. There are five types of viral hepatitis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Hepatitis A <\/b>is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and usually clears on its own after a few weeks. Symptoms are similar to that of the flu, though some people present as asymptomatic.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Hepatitis B<\/b> is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and usually clears on its own after a few months. However, an infection that persists after six months is considered chronic hepatitis B. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, though some people present as asymptomatic.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Hepatitis C<\/b> is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and only clears on its own in about 20% of cases. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, and joint pain, but acute hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis or liver disease even without symptoms.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Hepatitis D<\/b> is caused by the hepatitis D (HDV) virus and can be chronic. Symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea, though some people present as asymptomatic. Hepatitis D only occurs in those who have hepatitis B, making it a rare form of hepatitis.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Hepatitis E <\/b>is caused by the hepatitis E (HEV) virus and often clears on its own after a few weeks. Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, dark urine, and abdominal pain. Hepatitis E is often spread through contaminated drinking water, making it rare in developed countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    However, there are other ways the liver can become inflamed\u2014like blood flow problems, gallstones, and excessive alcohol consumption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n