Hepatitis Viral Diseases
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 NIH external link that cause hepatitis,
including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Transmission
Hepatitis A and hepatitis E usually spread through contact with food or water that was contaminated with an infected person's stool. You can also get hepatitis E by eating undercooked pork, deer, or shellfish. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D spread through contact with the blood of someone who has the disease. Hepatitis B and D may also spread through contact with other body fluids. This can happen in many ways, such as sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex.
Symptoms
Some people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Joint pain
- Jaundice, yellowing of your skin and eyes
