Types of Hepatitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Types of hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G, as well as autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, and fulminant hepatitis.

Hepatitis, also known as liver inflammation, can cause symptoms such as headache, abdominal swelling, yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and fever. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of hepatitis and how severe the liver inflammation is.

If hepatitis is suspected, a primary care provider, infectious disease specialist, or hepatologist should be consulted. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include medication, staying hydrated, rest, and, in some cases, a liver transplant.

Main types

The 11 types of hepatitis are:

1. Hepatitis A

Symptoms: Hepatitis A does not often cause any noticeable signs or symptoms, but when they do occur, they are usually mild and may include fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, and pale stools.

Transmission: The hepatitis A virus is transmitted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with stool from people infected with the virus.

According to the CDC, hepatitis A can also spread through close personal contact with an infected person, or when an infected person prepares food for others without washing their hands properly. It can also occur due to sewage contamination or inadequate water treatment, for example.

Treatment: If hepatitis A is suspected, a primary care provider should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and recommend appropriate care. Referral to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist may be needed in some cases.

Treatment is usually supportive and may include rest, adequate hydration, and medications to relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers and antiemetics.

2. Hepatitis B

Symptoms: Hepatitis B may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include nausea, low-grade fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, joint and muscle pain, and abdominal pain, for example.

Transmission: According to the CDC, hepatitis B spreads when blood, semen, or certain other body fluids from a person infected with hepatitis B enter the body of someone who is not infected. This can occur through blood transfusions, sharing needles or syringes, or unprotected sex.

Treatment: For confirmed cases of hepatitis B, a doctor may recommend rest, good hydration, and avoiding alcoholic beverages.

The doctor may also prescribe antiviral medications, such as tenofovir or entecavir, to help reduce viral replication and prevent liver damage. In some cases, interferon may be considered.

3. Hepatitis C

Symptoms: In general, people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. However, in some cases, symptoms may appear up to 45 days after contact with the virus.

Possible symptoms of hepatitis C include yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, mild fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Transmission: Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with the virus. This can happen during childbirth, unprotected sex, or sharing syringes, needles, or manicure and pedicure tools, for example.

Treatment: As soon as hepatitis C is suspected or identified, it is recommended to see a primary care provider or specialist, such as a hepatologist or infectious disease specialist, to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.

Treatment is usually done with antiviral medications, such as sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, for a period determined by the doctor.

4. Hepatitis D

Symptoms: This type of hepatitis may not cause symptoms at first. However, symptoms can appear about 2 to 7 weeks after the initial infection.

A person with hepatitis D may have fever, abdominal pain, easy bruising or bleeding, and dark urine.

Transmission: Hepatitis D, also called Delta hepatitis, can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. This may happen through unprotected sex or sharing needles and syringes.

Treatment: If hepatitis D is suspected, an infectious disease specialist, hepatologist, or primary care provider should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment.

Treatment options are limited, and pegylated interferon may be considered in some cases to help control viral replication and reduce liver damage.

If the infection progresses and leads to liver cirrhosis or liver failure, a liver transplant may be recommended.

5. Hepatitis E

Symptoms: Hepatitis E usually does not cause symptoms, especially in children.

However, it may cause mild symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, itching throughout the body, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and abdominal pain.

In pregnant people and in those with weakened immune systems, symptoms may be more severe and can lead to complications.

Transmission: Hepatitis E is transmitted by drinking water or eating food contaminated with urine or stool from people infected with the virus.

Treatment: Treatment for this type of hepatitis should be guided by a doctor and includes rest, hydration, proper nutrition, and avoiding alcohol and unnecessary medications that may affect the liver.

In people with weakened immune systems who develop chronic hepatitis E, ribavirin may be considered in specific cases under specialist supervision.

6. Hepatitis G

Symptoms: Also known as human pegivirus, this type of hepatitis almost never causes symptoms. However, some people may develop yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Transmission: The main form of transmission is contact with contaminated blood, such as through unprotected sex, sharing syringes, or blood transfusions.

Treatment: Treatment for this type of hepatitis is not yet well established. However, it is important to consult a hepatologist or infectious disease specialist for proper guidance.

7. Autoimmune hepatitis

Symptoms: Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis occur due to immune system dysregulation and can include itchy skin, abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin, and nausea.

Causes: Autoimmune hepatitis is a genetic condition in which the body produces antibodies against its own liver cells, causing inflammation and damage.

The exact cause is not fully known, but it appears to be related to genetic factors, medication use, or exposure to viruses.

Treatment: As soon as symptoms of this condition appear, a hepatologist or gastroenterologist should be consulted so appropriate treatment can be started.

Treatment is usually done with corticosteroids, such as prednisone or budesonide, often combined with an immunosuppressant like azathioprine. In cases where standard treatment is not effective or not tolerated, other medications such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine may be considered.

8. Drug-induced hepatitis

Symptoms: Symptoms of drug-induced hepatitis include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and pale stools.

Causes: Drug-induced hepatitis can be caused by excessive or improper medication use, medication hypersensitivity, or drug toxicity.

In this case, the liver is unable to metabolize medication toxins properly and becomes inflamed, causing typical hepatitis symptoms.

Treatment: Treatment consists of stopping the medication or switching to another option that is less harmful to the liver, always under medical guidance.

The doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids until liver test results return to normal.

9. Chronic hepatitis

Symptoms: This type of hepatitis is characterized by fatigue, joint pain, fever, malaise, abdominal swelling, reduced appetite, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Causes: Chronic hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by hepatitis B, C, or D viruses, excessive alcohol consumption, or autoimmune diseases, and lasts longer than 6 months.

Treatment: Treatment for chronic hepatitis depends on the severity of liver damage and may involve long-term corticosteroid use or a liver transplant.

10. Alcoholic hepatitis

Symptoms: This type of hepatitis can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Causes: Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption.

Treatment: Treatment for this condition involves stopping alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy diet as recommended by a registered dietitian, using corticosteroid medications, and, in some cases, having a liver transplant.

11. Fulminant hepatitis

Symptoms: The most common symptoms of this type of hepatitis include dark urine, bleeding, itching, fever, and yellow eyes and skin.

In more severe cases, brain inflammation known as hepatic encephalopathy may also occur. This can cause behavioral changes, sleep disturbances, disorientation, and even coma.

Causes: Fulminant hepatitis can be caused by hepatitis A or B viruses, autoimmune diseases, or medication use.

Treatment: Treatment is done in the hospital and includes medications to help detoxify the liver. In some cases, dialysis may be recommended to help purify the blood.

Because liver inflammation is often extensive and irreversible, the doctor may recommend a liver transplant.

Confirming a diagnosis

Hepatitis is diagnosed by a primary care provider, infectious disease specialist, or hepatologist through a physical exam and a review of personal and family medical history.

Lab tests, such as AST and ALT, bilirubin, and viral hepatitis panels, are commonly ordered to assess liver function and identify the cause of infection.

Imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound or CT scan, may also be used to evaluate the liver and detect possible complications.