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What is Hepatitis
B? > ABC's of Viral Hepatitis
ABC's of Viral Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis refers to infections caused by viruses that
directly attack the liver. Chronic cases of viral hepatitis can lead to
life-threatening liver cirrhosis (or scarring), liver failure and liver cancer.
The most common forms of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A,
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D.
|
Type of Viral Hepatitis |
Mode
of Transmission / Prevention |
|
Hepatitis A
(HAV) |
- Contaminated food and water.
- There is a safe HAV vaccine.
|
|
Hepatitis B
(HBV) |
- Infected blood, sex, and needles.
- From an infected mother to her newborn.
- There is a safe HBV vaccine.
|
|
Hepatitis C
(HCV) |
- Infected blood and needles.
- There is no vaccine.
|
|
Hepatitis D
(HDV) |
- Must already have hepatitis B.
- Infected blood, sex, and needles.
- From an infected mother to her newborn.
- Get the hepatitis B vaccine.
|
|
Hepatitis E
(HEV) |
- Contaminated water.
- There is no vaccine.
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