Inflammation of the liver, either acute or chronic, caused by damage to the liver cells is referred to as hepatitis. The liver is responsible for detoxifying blood, storing vitamins, and producing hormones. When hepatitis occurs, it disrupts the functioning of the liver and this leads to several health problems. The condition can be a symptom of other diseases but in most cases, it is caused by a viral infection. The common types of viral hepatitis are A, B, C, D and E. Of these, A, B, and C are the most common types of hepatitis in the United States, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

According to WHO, hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, drugs or other toxins. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection, viruses or when the body mistakenly attacks the liver. Some people with the disease show no symptoms at all. While in some cases, the symptoms include diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain or jaundice (characterized by a paling of the skin and eyes). In America, the incidence of hepatitis A has been falling over the last 20 years, but acute hepatitis C cases have seen an increase of 44% between 2011 and 2012.

The common types of hepatitis are as follows:

• Hepatitis A
  Hepatitis A is often mild and most people recover fully, after which they are immune and protected from the virus in the future. However, if it progresses to advanced stages, symptoms can be severe or life-threatening. In the United States, 1,390 cases of hepatitis A were reported in 2015. People living with poor sanitation are particularly at risk of contracting this disease. There are safe and effective vaccines that protect against the virus.
• Hepatitis B
  Hepatitis B can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, sharing a needle with an infected person (for drugs or steroids), getting a tattoo with unsterilized needles, sharing personal hygiene items such as a toothbrush or razor with an infected person or being bitten by a person who has the condition. It can become a chronic infection leading to complications such as scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis. Additionally, it can cause a type of cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. In this condition, the liver gets swollen.
• Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is mostly caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) which is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, through sharing needles for drug use, and sexual contact with an infected person. HCV is among the most common types of hepatitis and is a common bloodborne viral infection in the United States.

In most cases, hepatitis A, B, C, and E will subside on its own over several weeks or months, according to the NIH. However, acute cases of hepatitis B need to be treated with prescribed medicines such as antiviral drugs. Chronic hepatitis B and C infections that take time to heal and do not get better on their own can be treated with antiviral medications. Hepatitis C can be treated with a combination of therapies to get rid of the virus based on its subtype. These treatments target viral replication and have a high cure rate if administered properly.