Background Information

Signs and symptoms associated with hepatitis A can include:

• Abdominal pain, nausea, and/or vomiting
• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite

Hepatitis A treatment & prevention

Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Treatment for HAV infection might include rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. Hospitalization might be required for more severe cases. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by being vaccinated.¹

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is uninfected.

This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from the gestational parent to baby during pregnancy or at birth. For some persons, hepatitis B is an acute, or short-term, illness; for others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection.

Hepatitis B treatment & prevention

Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious health problems, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Treatments are available, but no cure exists for hepatitis B. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by being vaccinated. ^{2, 3}

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a bloodborne virus. Transmission can happen through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; from the gestational parent to baby during pregnancy or at birth; or (less commonly) through sexual contact.

Today, in the United States, most persons become infected with HCV by sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. ^{4, 5}

Hepatitis C illness

For certain persons, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for about half of persons who become infected with HCV, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Like chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death.

Hepatitis C treatment & prevention

Persons might not be aware of their infection if they do not have symptoms. Since 2013, highly effective, well-tolerated treatment has been available to cure hepatitis C, but there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.⁶ The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs using shared needles or other equipment.

Key facts about hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C

References