While hepatitis C tends to get more attention and research funding, hepatitis B is considerably more common and causes more liver-related cancer and death worldwide than hepatitis C. Combined, chronic hepatitis B and C account for approximately 80% of the world's liver cancer cases.
Are all hepatitis symptoms the same?
Many people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected . If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.
Are all hepatitis the same?
Different strains of hepatitis exist, including hepatitis A, B, C, and D. The most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection while hepatitis B and C can cause long-term, or chronic, infections. A person can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time .
How many versions of hepatitis are there?
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.
Are all hepatitis in the same family?
39 Do all hepatitis viruses belong to the same group, and do they share the same structural properties? Hepatitis viruses do not belong to the same group : Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a picornavirus, HBV is a hepadna virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a flavivirus, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a calicivirus.
Which hepatitis is not curable?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus (called the hepatitis B virus, or HBV). It can be serious and there's no cure, but the good news is it's easy to prevent.
Which hepatitis is bad?
There are 3 main types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis C can be more severe and is the most deadly, but even those with acute illness can recover without lasting liver damage. Up to 70% of those chronically infected with hepatitis C develop chronic liver disease, and up to 20% develop cirrhosis.
Is there a good hepatitis?
There are several other viruses that cause inflammation of the liver, including hepatitis D and hepatitis E, but they are not as common in the United States as in other parts of the world. Hepatitis A virus causes an acute inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that almost always gets better on its own.
Which hepatitis is curable?
All types of hepatitis are treatable but only A and C are curable . Most people with hepatitis A or hepatitis B infection will recover on their own, with no lasting liver damage. In rare cases, people with hepatitis B will develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Is hepatitis B bacteria or virus?
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
Where is hepatitis most common?
The highest rates of chronic hepatitis B infection in the United States occur among foreign-born individuals, especially people born in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa . Approximately 70% of cases in the United States are among people who were born outside of the United States.
How long can you have hepatitis without knowing?
Others might experience a longer delay before noticing symptoms. It could take from 6 months to 10 years or more before someone with the virus becomes aware of any symptoms. This is because it can take years for the virus to lead to liver damage.
What organ is affected by hepatitis?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver . The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis.
Why hepatitis B is not curable?
Chronic hepatitis B hasn't been cured so far in part because current therapies have failed to destroy the viral reservoir, where the virus hides in the cell . This is in contrast to hepatitis C virus, which has no such viral reservoir and can now be cured with as little as 12 weeks of treatment.
Is hepatitis B permanent?
Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully , even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there's no cure if you have the condition.
How long can a hepatitis B patient live?
A “silent disease.” It can live in your body for 50+ years before you have symptoms. Responsible for 80 percent of all liver cancer in the world.
