Viral Hepatitis: Your GoodRx Guide

Definition

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Many things can cause liver inflammation, including viruses.

Inflammation causes damage to the liver. Sometimes the inflammation doesn’t last long, and the liver can recover. But if the inflammation lasts a long time and doesn’t get treatment, the damage to the liver can be permanent. This can cause additional serious problems like liver failure and cirrhosis.

Viral hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Many viruses can cause hepatitis. But when most people talk about viral hepatitis, they mean five specific viruses:

1. Hepatitis A virus (HAV)

2. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

3. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

4. Hepatitis D virus (HDV)

5. Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Scientists think there may be more viruses out there that still haven’t been completely identified. For now, they call these viruses “hepatitis X.”

HBV and HCV are the most common causes of viral hepatitis in the U.S. But people can come in contact with the other viruses — both at home and while traveling.

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Causes and risk factors

Some people are more likely than others to come into contact with hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis A and E viruses

HAV and HEV usually spread through stool. They aren’t as common in the U.S. because of public sanitation.

People most at risk for HAV are those who:

• Travel to areas where HAV is common

• Work in day care centers, healthcare facilities, and sewage processing

• Experience homelessness

HEV almost never happens in the U.S. It can occur when someone eats undercooked pork, shellfish, or deer.

Hepatitis B and D viruses

HBV and HDV spread through blood, semen, and bodily fluids.

People most at risk for HBV are those who: 

• Work in healthcare 

• Have multiple sexual partners

• Share needles

You can only get an infection from HDV if you already have an infection with HBV. 

Hepatitis C virus

HCV spreads through contact with blood. People who share needles are most at risk for HCV exposure.

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Symptoms

Many people don’t get any symptoms from the hepatitis viruses. Others experience symptoms like:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

• Yellowing of the eyes and/or skin

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Fatigue or feeling tired

• Darker colored urine

• Lighter colored stools

Symptoms can start anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after someone is exposed to one of the hepatitis viruses.

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Diagnosis

Healthcare providers can diagnose viral hepatitis with blood tests. These blood tests can measure and identify different things like the:

• Virus that’s causing the illness

• Timeline of the infection — if it’s new or old (chronic)

• Viral load, or how many copies of the virus are in the bloodstream

• Strain of the virus (genotype)

Viral load and genotype testing are important tests for people who have HBV or HCV infections. These tests help healthcare providers choose a treatment plan and monitor how someone is responding to treatment.

Your healthcare provider might also do a liver function test to see how your liver is working. Although this blood test doesn’t diagnose hepatitis, it can give a sense of how hepatitis is affecting your liver. Your healthcare provider might also order a liver ultrasound or a liver biopsy for the same reason.

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Treatments

Viral hepatitis treatments vary by the specific virus.

Hepatitis A and E

People with HAV and HEV usually don’t need treatment. To give the liver time to recover, healthcare providers recommend rest, fluids, and avoiding alcohol or certain medications. HAV and HEV do not lead to chronic (long-term) infection.

Hepatitis B and D

Most people with HBV get better on their own. But about 10% of adults and 75% to 90% of children develop chronic hepatitis B infection.

People with chronic HBV and those with HDV need treatment with antiviral medications like: 

• Entecavir (Baraclude)

• Telbivudine (Tyzeka)

• Adefovir (Hepsera) 

• Tenofovir (Viread)

Treatment can’t cure HBV, but it can keep the virus from causing more damage to the liver.

Hepatitis C

Many people with HCV get better on their own. About 50% to 60% of people develop chronic hepatitis C infection. These people need treatment with direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAAT), which includes the following medications:

• Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir)

• Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir)

• Mavyret

DAAT can cure HCV. About 95% of people are free of HCV after taking DAAT.

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Prevention

There are many things you can do to protect yourself from viral hepatitis.

There are safe and effective vaccines against HAV and HBV, which will protect you from getting hepatitis A, B, and D.

To protect yourself against HAV and HEV, make sure to:

• Wash all food, surfaces, and your hands before preparing meals

• Cook meat and shellfish completely 

• Use clean water sources

These tips are especially important when traveling internationally to areas where HAV and HEV are more common.

To protect yourself against hepatitis B, C, and D, make sure to:

• Wear gloves when handling blood and bodily fluids

• Use protection when engaging in all forms of sexual activity

• Avoid sharing needles 

• Get tattoos only from licensed artists
  

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