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HepititisHepatitis can be caused by many different things including viral infections, parasites, bacteria, chemicals, autoimmunity, drugs or alcohol. Of these, viral infection is the most common cause of chronic (long-term) hepatitis, which can lead to severe liver damage including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Five types of viral hepatitis are currently known –  hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, of which A, B and C are the most common (Table 1). Hepatitis F and G also exist, although there is still some debate over whether these types are actually viral infections.

Table 1: Properties of the most common hepatitis viruses
 Hepatitis A virusHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virus
Virus type Picornavirus Hepadnavirus Flavivirus
Genome RNA DNA RNA
Route of spread Faecal-oral Bodily fluids, inculding blood,
semen, saliva		 Blood-to-blood
Clinical course Acute Acute & chronic Acute & chronic
Immunisation Vaccine available Vaccine available No vaccine available
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