Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Types of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The disease can be short-term or long-term. The hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can cause chronic (long-term) viral hepatitis. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, stomach pain, and nausea. Some forms of viral hepatitis go away on their own, while others require medical treatment.
Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by a virus.
Hepatitis G is another type of viral hepatitis, although it does not seem to cause either acute or chronic hepatitis.
Acute Versus Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Acute viral hepatitis is a short-term viral infection. Chronic viral hepatitis is a longer-lasting (at least six months) viral infection that often becomes a lifelong condition. To find out if you have acute or chronic viral hepatitis, your healthcare provider will likely perform a medical evaluation that includes blood tests.
All types of viral hepatitis cause acute (short-term) viral hepatitis. The hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can also cause chronic hepatitis.
Causes of Viral Hepatitis
Each type of viral hepatitis is caused by a different virus.
The name of the virus corresponds with the condition it causes. For example, the
hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A; the
hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B; the
hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C; and so on.
Click any of the following links to learn more about the specific causes of each type of viral hepatitis:
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print