Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver, which can occur as the result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.
Some type of hepatitis will pass without causing permanent damage to the liver.
Other types can persist for many years and cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and in the most serious of cases, loss of liver function (liver failure) which can be fatal. These types of long-lasting hepatitis are known as chronic hepatitis.
Initial symptoms of hepatitis caused by infection are similar to the flu and include:
- muscle and joint pain
a high temperature (fever) of or above 38C (100.4F)
- feeling sick
- being sick
- headache
- and occasionally, yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
While symptoms of chronic hepatitis can include:
- feeling unusually tired all the time
- depression
- jaundice
- a general sense of feeling unwell
Although in many cases hepatitis causes no noticeable symptoms, so in cases where hepatitis is caused by a virus, many people are unaware they are infected.
Similarly many people with hepatitis caused by alcohol are unaware that their drinking is harming their liver.
Types of hepatitis
The most common types of hepatitis are discussed below.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus, is the most common type of viral hepatitis. It occurs in the UK, but is more common in countries where sanitation and sewage disposal are poor.
There are an average of around 350 cases reported each year in England, with most cases occurring in people who have travelled abroad
Hepatitis A is usually caught by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the stools (faeces) of someone with hepatitis A.
It is usually an short-term (acute) infection and symptoms will pass within three months. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A other than using medication, such as the painkiller ibuprofen, to relieve symptoms.
There is a vaccination that can protect you against hepatitis A. Vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to countries where the virus is common, such as the Indian subcontinent, Africa, central and south America, the Far East and eastern Europe.
Read more about hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be found blood and body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids, so it can be spread during unprotected sex or by sharing needles to inject drugs, for example.
Hepatitis B is uncommon in England and cases are largely confined to certain groups such as drug users. It is much more common in other parts of the world such as China, Central and South East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The majority of people infected with hepatitis B are able to fight off the virus and fully recover from the infection within a couple of months. The infection can be unpleasant to live with, but usually causes no lasting harm.
However, a small minority of people develop a long-term infection. This is known as chronic hepatitis B.
There is a vaccination is available for hepatitis B which is recommended for people in high-risk groups such as injecting drug users.
Read more about hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis in England. It is estimated that around 255,000 people in England have the condition.
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus which can be found in the blood and, to a much lesser extent, the saliva and semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person. It is particularly concentrated in the blood, so it is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.
In England, it’s most commonly spread through sharing needles to inject drugs; which accounts for 9 out of 10 cases.
Hepatitis C often causes no noticeable symptoms, or symptoms that are mistaken for the flu, so many people are unaware they are infected.
In around 1 out of 4 people their body will fight off the infection and they will be free of the virus.
In the remaining 3 out of 4 people the virus will stay in their body for many years. This is known as chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C can be treated by taking antiviral medications, although there can be unpleasant side effects.
There is currently no vaccination for hepatitis C.
Read more about hepatitis C
Alcoholic hepatitis
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, over the course of many years, can damage the liver leading to hepatitis. This type of hepatitis is known as alcoholic hepatitis.
It is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 moderate to heavy drinkers have some degree of alcoholic hepatitis.
The condition usually does not cause any symptoms and is often detected with a blood test.
If a person with alcoholic hepatitis continues to drink alcohol then there is a real risk that they will the go on to develop cirrhosis and possibly liver failure.
Read more about alcoholic liver diseases and the health risks associated with alcohol.
Rarer types of hepatitis
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D, caused by the hepatitis D virus, is only present in people already infected with hepatitis B (it needs the presence of the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in your body). Infection rates in the UK are low. See British Liver Trust: hepatitis D for more information.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus, is very rare in the UK and is generally a mild and short-term infection. It is caught by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the faeces of someone with hepatitis E. Person-to-person transmission is rare. See British Liver Trust: hepatitis D to find out more.
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis is a very rare cause of chronic (long-term) hepatitis. The white blood cells attack the liver, causing chronic inflammation and damage. This can lead to more serious problems, such as liver failure. The reason for this reaction is unknown.
Only one in 100,000 cases of autoimmune hepatitis are diagnosed in the UK every year. About seven in 10 cases are in women, usually between the ages of 15 and 40. However, in older age groups, men tend to be affected more than women.
Symptoms include tiredness, pains in your abdomen, joint aches, jaundice (yellow tinge to your skin and whites of your eyes) and cirrhosis. See your GP immediately if you show any of these symptoms so that tests can be carried out for an early diagnosis.
Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis involves medicines that help to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. Steroid medication (prednisolone) can gradually reduce your swelling over several weeks, and can then be used to control your symptoms.
For more information, see British Liver Trust: autoimmune hepatitis.
