Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is caused by a virus that affects the liver. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Transmission varies among the different types of viral hepatitis; however, symptoms are the same for all three types of hepatitis (A, B, and C). Not everyone will have symptoms when they are first infected, but symptoms of acute (newly acquired) hepatitis include:

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Headache
Diarrhea
Clay-colored stools
Joint or muscle pain
Dark urine
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can lead to chronic hepatitis infections, in which case individuals will remain infected. Chronic hepatitis can lead to liver disease and liver cancer. Most people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections remain asymptomatic (no symptoms) until the infection progresses and causes complications of the liver.