Hepatitis is a condition in which the liver becomes inflamed. Liver inflamation can have many causes, but in most cases it is caused by a virus. When left untreated, viral hepatitis can destroy liver cells, leading to liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common forms of viral hepatitis. Some people may have other types of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis can be:

  • Acute (Short Term) or
  • Chronic (Long Term)

What are the consquences of hepatitis?
Acute and chronic hepatitis can lead to liver problems and failure. Chronic infections can destroy liver cells and lead to serious liver complications, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

How does one get hepatitis?
The hepatitis virus is transmitted from person to person. The way a person gets hepatitis is slightly different for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.






Pediatric Viral Hepatitis Network. COPYRIGHT © 2003, New York University School of Medicine.
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