Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver and has several types, including hepatitis A, B and C. Worldwide, approximately 240 million people have hepatitis B infection and 80 million have hepatitis C. According to the World Health Organization, almost 1.4 million people die annually from viral hepatitis.
In the US, about 5.3 million people have hepatitis. Dr. Stacey Rizza, an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic, says that “anything that affects the liver and causes inflammation, by definition, is hepatitis.”
Dr. Rizza breaks down the ABC’s of hepatitis.
“The ‘A’ corresponds to the first type of infection, which is contracted by contaminated water or food. Although one can be very sick, it does not become a chronic infection.”
Vaccines protect against hepatitis A and are particularly important for children and travelers.
“Hepatitis B is the second virus that has been identified and the cause of a chronic infection; but fortunately, there is a very, very effective vaccine against hepatitis B.”
Hepatitis C is transmitted through body fluids. The virus damages the liver and causes death.
“Although there is no vaccine against hepatitis C, in recent years, there are very effective therapies to treat it.”
Font. Mayo Clinic
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