What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It is usually caused by a virus. There are several kinds of hepatitis. Some of these types affect humans but there are also other types that affect animals such as dogs and cats. Most people probably know of the types that affect humans, however.

What are some of the symptoms of hepatitis? If you have hepatitis, you will probably know that something is wrong. Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, loss of appetite and sometimes jaundice.

Hepatitis can be fatal but most people can recover when they get treatment. So how does a person get hepatitis? Well, it typically comes from an infected person but it depends on the type that you have.

Hepatitis type A is also called the Infectious Hepatitis and is called by a virus that is carried in human waste. It can be transmitted by contaminated food or coming in contact with someone with the virus. Hygiene is important and there is a vaccination for the disease.

Hepatitis B is also called Serum Hepatitis and is typically transmitted through the virus in blood, saliva or semen. This type can be transmitted through sexual contact or contact with the blood such as cuts, bites and contaminated needles. Blood transfusions can also spread this type of hepatitis and a pregnant mother can spread it to her child.

Hepatitis C is most often caused from blood transfusions and is not very common now since there are ways of testing and scanning the blood. It can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is also a type D or Delta Hepatitis that is a severe combination of the delta virus and hepatitis B. There are also types E and G.

Hepatitis is one of many reasons why you should not share needles or have unprotected sex. If you do think you may have hepatitis, you should seek help immediately.