Understanding Hepatitis: A Complete Guide to Types A, B, C, D, and E

The word "hepatitis" simply means inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by heavy alcohol use, certain medications, autoimmune conditions, or toxins — but when most people hear the word, they're thinking of viral hepatitis. That's the form caused by one of five distinct viruses, each classified by a letter: A, B, C, D, and E.

Globally, viral hepatitis is one of the leading infectious disease killers — claiming an estimated 1.3 million lives per year, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States alone, hepatitis kills thousands of Americans annually and is a leading driver of liver cancer and the need for liver transplants. Yet awareness, testing, and treatment rates remain far below where they need to be.

"Hepatitis B and C together cause most of the world's liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths. Most people who have them don't know it." — World Health Organization, Global Hepatitis Report 2026

By the Numbers

• 304 million people worldwide living with hepatitis B or C
• 1.3 million deaths per year globally from hepatitis B & C
• 2.2 million Americans living with chronic hepatitis C
• 3,500 people die each day worldwide from viral hepatitis liver disease

What is hepatitis? The liver is one of the body's most essential organs — filtering toxins from the blood, producing proteins, metabolizing nutrients, and supporting digestion. When the liver becomes inflamed, all of these functions are disrupted. In viral hepatitis, a virus invades liver cells and triggers an immune response that causes this inflammation.

Hepatitis infections are categorized as either acute (short-term, typically resolving within six months) or chronic (long-term, lasting beyond six months and potentially causing progressive liver damage over years or decades). Many people with chronic hepatitis have no symptoms for years or even decades — testing is the only way to know for certain.

Hepatitis A (HAV) Hepatitis A is highly contagious but typically self-limiting — meaning the body clears it on its own without causing long-term liver damage. It spreads through contaminated food or water, especially in areas with poor sanitation or during outbreaks. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Most people recover fully within a few weeks to months. A safe, effective vaccine provides long-lasting protection.

Hepatitis B (HBV) Hepatitis B is a major global health concern — chronic HBV infection affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. It spreads through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex, and from mother to baby during delivery. There is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, but antiviral medications can suppress the virus and reduce liver damage. Vaccination beginning at birth is the most powerful prevention tool.

Hepatitis C (HCV) Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. Up to 85% of people who contract HCV develop a chronic infection. Left untreated, it can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer over 20–30 years. Modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications now cure more than 95% of patients in as little as 8–12 weeks. The CDC recommends all adults aged 18–79 be tested at least once.

Hepatitis D (HDV) Hepatitis D can only infect people who already have hepatitis B. Co-infection typically causes more severe liver disease with a higher risk of cirrhosis and liver failure. The hepatitis B vaccine — which prevents HBV — also prevents HDV by default.

Hepatitis E (HEV) Hepatitis E is primarily a waterborne disease common in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. Like hepatitis A, most HEV infections resolve on their own. However, it poses a serious risk to pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, where it can be life-threatening.

Common Symptoms Many people with acute or early chronic hepatitis have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they include: fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), dark urine, pale or clay-colored stool, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain, itchy skin, and unexplained weight loss.

Prevention Strategies

• Get vaccinated: Safe, effective vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B
• Practice safe injection: Never share needles or syringes
• Practice safer sex: Use barrier protection to reduce risk
• Practice food & water hygiene: Wash hands, drink safe water when traveling
• Prevent mother-to-child transmission: All pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B
• Get tested: The CDC recommends all adults aged 18–79 be tested for hepatitis C at least once

Hepatitis C is Curable Thanks to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), hepatitis C is now curable in over 95% of patients using an 8–12 week course of oral medication. Yet an estimated 2.2 million Americans still live with chronic hepatitis C. In 2022, more than 12,700 people in the United States died from hepatitis C-related causes — deaths that could have been prevented with available treatment.

If you haven't been tested for hepatitis B or C, ask your doctor at your next visit. The path to eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat runs directly through awareness and access.