Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Several different viruses cause viral hepatitis. They are named the hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses.

All of these viruses cause acute, or short-term, viral hepatitis. The hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can also cause chronic hepatitis, in which the infection is prolonged, sometimes lifelong.

Other viruses may also cause hepatitis, but they have yet to be discovered and they are obviously rare causes of the disease.

Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis

Symptoms include
	jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
	fatigue
	abdominal pain
	loss of appetite
	nausea
	vomiting
	diarrhea
	low grade fever
	headache

However, some people do not have symptoms.

Hepatitis D

Disease Spread

Through contact with infected blood. This disease occurs only in people who are already infected with hepatitis D.

Anyone infected with hepatitis D: Injection drug users who have hepatitis Dhave the highest risk. People who have hepatitis Dare also at risk if they have sex with a person infected with hepatitis D or if they live with an infected person. Also at risk are people who received a transfusion of blood or blood products before July 1992 or clotting factors made before 1987.

Immunization against hepatitis Dfor those not already infected; also, avoiding exposure to infected blood, contaminated needles, and an infected person's personal items (toothbrush, razor, nail clippers).

Chronic hepatitis D: drug treatment with alpha interferon.