Viral hepatitis is a serious disease that affects millions of people around the world. It happens when a virus infects your liver, causing inflammation. If not treated or managed properly, hepatitis can lead to serious problems like liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), or even liver cancer.
What is Viral Hepatitis?
“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. When this inflammation is caused by a virus, it is called viral hepatitis.
There are five well-known types of viruses that cause viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis D (HDV), and Hepatitis E (HEV).
The most common types—especially in many parts of the world—are hepatitis A, B, and C.
Some of these viruses cause only a short-term (acute) illness, while others can lead to a long-term (chronic) problem that may never go away.
Symptoms – What to Watch Out For?
Viral hepatitis can show different symptoms depending on the person and the type. Some people may have no symptoms at all, especially at first — but they can still give the virus to others.
Common symptoms include:
• Feeling very tired or weak
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite / feeling sick to your stomach
• Dark urine, light-colored stools
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (known as “jaundice”)
If the illness becomes chronic (especially for hepatitis B or C), the person may not notice anything wrong for many years — even while the virus quietly damages the liver.
How Viral Hepatitis Spreads?
Different types of viral hepatitis spread in different ways. Knowing how they spread helps us prevent them.
• Hepatitis A and E – Usually spread when someone eats food or drinks water contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person. This often happens when there is poor sanitation or poor hygiene. Close personal contact or poor hygiene can also spread hepatitis A.
• Hepatitis B, C, D - Spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids. This can happen through:
Sharing needles or syringes (for example, among people who inject drugs)
Unprotected intimate contact with someone who has the virus
From an infected mother to her baby during childbirth
Accidental needle-stick or other injuries that pierce the skin with contaminated instruments (for example, used medical or tattoo equipment)
Because the virus can live in blood and certain body fluids, even if there are no obvious symptoms, someone may still spread the infection without knowing it.
Why Some Types Are More Dangerous Than the Others
• Hepatitis A and E - In most cases, these cause an acute illness. The body can fight the virus, and the liver heals. People recover fully within weeks or a few months.
• Hepatitis B and C - These are more concerning because they can become chronic. Chronic hepatitis means the virus stays in the body for many years. Over time, this can lead to serious liver damage, cirrhosis (permanent scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer.
• Hepatitis D - This type only occurs in someone who already has hepatitis B. Having both makes the disease worse.
Because the dangers are greater for chronic types, early detection and prevention are especially important.
How To Prevent Viral Hepatitis
The good news: many types of viral hepatitis are preventable. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones:
• Get vaccinated – Vaccines are available and effective for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Getting vaccinated greatly lowers your risk of getting these types.
• Practice good hygiene and safe food/water habits - For hepatitis A and E, make sure to wash hands properly (especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food), drink clean water, and avoid food from dubious sources.
• Avoid sharing needles or syringes – If you or someone you know uses injection drugs, avoid sharing equipment. Medical needles and syringes should always be sterile and properly disposed of.
• Avoid having multiple partners – Practicing safe behaviors significantly lowers the risk of hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Ensure safe medical, tattoo, and piercing practices – Only accept injections, tattoos, piercings, or medical procedures done with properly sterilized equipment.
• Early testing and screening - Since many people with hepatitis (especially B or C) may not show symptoms, getting tested is important — especially for those at higher risk. Early detection helps prevent serious liver damage.
What To Do If You’re Infected or Suspect You Might Be
If you think you might have been exposed or have symptoms:
1. Visit a doctor – A doctor can order a blood test to check for hepatitis viruses. Early testing can find the infection before serious damage happens.
2. Follow treatment if needed – Some types of hepatitis (especially chronic hepatitis B or C) may need ongoing care. While not all are curable, treatment can slow liver damage and reduce complications.
3. Take care of your liver – Eat balanced meals, avoid alcohol or harmful substances, and keep a healthy lifestyle to support your liver’s healing and health.
Why Fighting Viral Hepatitis Matters
Viral hepatitis remains a global health threat. According to health experts, many people worldwide live with hepatitis — often without knowing it — because infections can show no symptoms early on.
By raising awareness, improving hygiene, using safe medical practices, and promoting vaccination and screening, we can reduce the number of new infections and avoid serious liver diseases.
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself and Community
• Wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
• Drink clean water. Avoid food or water from doubtful sources.
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if available and recommended.
• Avoid sharing needles, syringes, or any tools that pierce the skin.
• Practice safe intimacy.
• Use only sterile tools for tattoos, piercings, or medical procedures.
• If you think you might be at risk, ask a doctor for a hepatitis test.
Final Thoughts
Viral hepatitis may sound scary — but much of it is preventable. By learning how the disease spreads and taking simple but important steps such as vaccination, hygiene, safe practices, and regular testing, we can all help fight viral hepatitis. Protecting yourself means also protecting your family and community. If we stay informed and careful, we can reduce the harm that hepatitis causes and help more people live healthy lives.
Sources:
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4245-hepatitis-viral-hepatitis-a-b--c
• https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis#tab=tab_1
• https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/about/index.html