Hepatitis is a disease that impairs liver function
either temporarily or permanently, sometimes even leading to death.
It can be initiated by a host of factors, but primarily by viruses.
Drugs can also cause hepatitis but when the specific drug is discontinued,
the liver usually returns to normal. Because of the threat of grave
consequences, we have to take hepatitis seriously and do whatever
is necessary to prevent its occurrence and damage to our bodies.
| |
Hepatitis Comparison
Chart |
|
Hepatitis A
(HAV)
|
Hepatitis B
(HBV)
|
Hepatitis C
(HCV)
|
Hepatitis D
(HDV)
|
Hepatitis E
(HEV) |
| What is it? |
| HAV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It does
not lead to chronic disease. |
HBV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The
virus can cause liver cell damage, leading to cirrhosis and
cancer. |
HCV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. This
infection can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. |
HDV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It only
infects those persons with HBV. |
HEV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. There
is no chronic state. |
| Incubation period |
| 15 to 50 days. Average 30 days. |
45 to 160 days. Average 120 days. |
2 to 25 weeks. Average 7 to 9 weeks. |
2 to 8 weeks. |
2 to 9 weeks. Average 40 days. |
| How is it spread? |
| Transmitted by fecal/oral route, through close person to person
contact or ingestion of contaminated food and water. |
Contact with infected blood, seminal fluid, vaginal secretions,
contaminated needles, including tattoo/body piercing tools.
Infected mother to newborn. Human bite. Sexual contact. |
Contact with infected blood, contaminated IV needles, razors,
and tattoo/body piercing tools. Infected mother to newborn.
NOT easily spread through sex. |
Contact with infected blood, contaminated needles. Sexual
contact with HDV-infected person. |
Transmitted through fecal/oral route. Outbreaks associated
with contaminated water supply in other countries. |
| Symptoms |
| May have none. Adults may have light stools, dark urine, fatigue,
fever, and jaundice. |
May have none. Some persons have mild flu-like symptoms, dark
urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue, and fever. |
Same as HBV. |
Same as HBV. |
Same as HBV. |
| Treatment of chronic disease |
| Not applicable. |
Anti-virals with varying success. |
Interferon and combination therapies with varying success. |
Interferon with varying success. |
Not Applicable. |
| Vaccine |
| Two doses of vaccine to anyone over the age of two. |
Three doses may be given to persons of any age. |
None. |
HBV vaccine prevents HDV infection. |
None. |
| Who is at Risk? |
| Household or sexual contact with an |
Infant born to infected mother, having sex with |
Health care workers, IV drug users, |
IV drug users, |
Travelers to developing |
