Background Information

About

The three most common viruses that cause hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis is infectious and can spread before a person knows they are sick. Each type of hepatitis spreads differently.
2022 Hepatitis Surveillance Report Background

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is usually transmitted person to person through the fecal-oral route or through consumption of contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis A symptoms

Most adults and older children with hepatitis A have symptoms that usually resolve within 2 months after infection; children aged less than 6 years usually do not have symptoms, or they have an unrecognized infection.

Signs and symptoms associated with hepatitis A can include:

  • Abdominal pain, nausea, and/or vomiting
  • Dark urine or clay-colored stools
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Jaundice
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite

Hepatitis A treatment & prevention

Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Treatment for HAV infection might include rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. Hospitalization might be required for more severe cases. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by being vaccinated1.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is uninfected.

This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from the gestational parent to baby during pregnancy or at birth. For some persons, hepatitis B is an acute, or short-term, illness; for others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection.

Hepatitis B treatment & prevention

Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious health problems, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Treatments are available, but no cure exists for hepatitis B. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by being vaccinated. 23

Keep in mind

Many people with chronic hepatitis B don't have symptoms and don't know they are infected.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by infection of the liver with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a bloodborne virus. Transmission can happen through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; from the gestational parent to baby during pregnancy or at birth; or (less commonly) through sexual contact.

Today, in the United States, most persons become infected with HCV by sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs.45

Hepatitis C illness

For certain persons, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for about half of persons who become infected with HCV, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Like chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death.

Keep in mind

Many people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected.

Hepatitis C treatment & prevention

Persons might not be aware of their infection if they do not have symptoms. Since 2013, highly effective, well-tolerated treatment has been available to cure hepatitis C, but there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C6. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs using shared needles or other equipment.

Key facts

Characteristic Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C
Key facts about hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C Table
Main route(s) of transmission Fecal-oral Blood, sexual Blood
Incubation period 15–50 days
(average: 28 days) 		60–150 days
(average: 90 days) 		14–182 days
(average range: 14–84 days)
Symptoms of acute infection Symptoms are similar and can include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, diarrhea (hepatitis A only)
Perinatal transmission No Yes Yes
Vaccine available Yes Yes No
Treatment Supportive care Yes, not curative Yes, curative
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About Division of Viral Hepatitis
  1. Nelson NP, Weng MK, Hofmeister MG, et al. Prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep 2020;69(No. RR-5):1–38.
  2. Schillie S, Vellozzi C, Reingold A, et al. Prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Recomm Rep 2018;67(No. RR-1):1–31.
  3. Weng MK, Doshani M, Kahn, Mohammed A, et al. Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination in Adults Aged 19–59 Years: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:477–483.
  4. Mateu-Gelaber P, Sabounchi NS, Guarino H, Hepatitis C virus risk among young people who inject drugs C. Front. Public Health. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.835836
  5. Shiffman ML. The next wave of hepatitis C virus: The epidemic of intravenous drug use. Liver Int. 2018;38(Suppl. 1):34–39. doi: 10.1111/liv.13647.
  6. AASLD-IDSA. Recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. [Accessed December 12, 2023].