05/19/26 Public Health Education Topic: Viral Hepatitis

Per CDC:

Key points

• Viral hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by a virus.

• Untreated, viral hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems, like scarring or cancer.

• Even if you don't have any symptoms, you can spread viral hepatitis.

• Getting tested is the only way to know you have viral hepatitis.

• Vaccines can prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B and medications can cure hepatitis C.

About viral hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in a person's body. The liver is about the size of a football and, on average, weighs about 3 pounds. It is located on the upper right side of a person's body, behind the lower ribs. Almost all the blood in a person's body passes through the liver. The liver performs hundreds of functions, including: storing nutrients; removing waste products and worn-out cells from the blood; filtering and processing chemicals in food, alcohol, and medications; and producing bile, a solution that helps digest fats and eliminate waste products.

When the liver is inflamed or damaged, it can't do its job effectively.

Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus.

Cases can range from mild to severe, with many people not even realizing they are infected. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Tens of thousands of people are newly infected with viral hepatitis every year in the US. It is a serious public health threat that kills thousands of Americans annually and is a leading cause of liver cancer.

How it spreads

Viral hepatitis is infectious and can spread before a person knows they are sick. Each type of hepatitis spreads differently.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is spread when someone ingests the virus – even in microscopic amounts. This usually occurs through close personal contact with an infected person, or by eating or drinking contaminated food or drink. Learn more about hepatitis A prevention and control.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is primarily spread when blood, semen, or certain other body fluids – even microscopic amounts – from a person infected with HBV enter the body of someone who is not infected. Learn more about hepatitis B prevention and control.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with HCV – even microscopic amounts – enters the body of someone who is not infected. Learn more about hepatitis C prevention and control.

To learn more please visit: Viral Hepatitis Basics | Viral Hepatitis | CDC