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Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of your liver. Currently, there are an estimated six million people living with hepatitis in the United states of america, and more than than 50,000 people are diagnosed with this illness every twelvemonth. There are three primary types of hepatitis, and while their symptoms can exist similar, they vary largely in the ways they're transmitted. Learning more about each type of hepatitis can help you lot ameliorate understand the status as a whole.

Hepatitis A is the virtually hands transmitted of the three viruses. It affects approximately ii,500 people every year in the The states. It typically spreads through feces-contaminated food or h2o and is establish in the feces of people who have the virus. Hepatitis A causes a curt-term, acute sickness that almost people heal from without treatment. However, it can cause serious illness in some people. This virus is more common in places with underdeveloped sanitation systems.

While doctors tin can't treat hepatitis A with medication, people who become this virus tin can manage its symptoms with fluids, residual and good nutrition. There'due south too a safe and effective vaccine bachelor to protect y'all against hepatitis A.

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can occur both acutely (pregnant information technology develops quickly and lasts a short time) and chronically (significant it develops slowly over time and worsens over months or years). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 2 1000000 people in the United states are chronically afflicted with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual activity and exposure to infected blood. It can also be passed from a parent to their newborn child during birth.

Hepatitis B usually causes brusk-term discomfort that many people recover from completely after about four to eight weeks. Even so, information technology can turn into a chronic condition that lasts for years; this is more likely in older adults. Doctors can treat severe chronic hepatitis B with antiviral medications. However, in about cases, treatments focus on proper hydration and nutrition. There's a safety vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis B, also.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Approximately 4 million people in the United States are affected with hepatitis C. This form of hepatitis causes a chronic illness in over 50% of people who become this type of the virus. It'south the to the lowest degree transmissible of the three viruses and can spread through contact with infected blood.

Hepatitis C occurs more ordinarily in people who engage in intravenous drug use. If you received a blood transfusion before 1992, yous should also become tested for hepatitis C if you haven't previously. Hepatitis C can spread through unprotected sexual intercourse, but this is a less mutual way to transmit information technology. While there'southward no vaccine for chronic hepatitis C, treatments that are bachelor today offer a 95% cure charge per unit.

Chronic hepatitis C can significantly affect how your liver works. It tin can cause cirrhosis, which means that your normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. Information technology can also crusade liver cancer. Even so, at that place are medications that tin can help continue this disease in check. Making lifestyle changes, such as reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet, can also subtract your chances of experiencing complications. In astringent cases, hepatitis C may crave a liver transplant.

The varying forms of viral hepatitis touch on millions of people in the United states of america. Chronic hepatitis often has few symptoms in its early on stages, and so recognizing the associated dangers and getting tested if you've been exposed may salvage your life. Although in that location are five types of viral hepatitis, just A, B and C are the forms commonly constitute in the United States.

Resource Links:

"Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences," Immunization Action Coalition

"What's the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C?," UNC Health Talk

"The ABCs of Hepatitis," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

"What'south the Difference: Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C?," Hepatitis B Foundation