Explained: Types of viral hepatitis, causes, symptoms, expert tips to protect your liver

Some diseases and conditions come with the most common symptoms. Viral hepatitis is one of them. It is often an overlooked condition that comes with symptoms like fatigue, nausea, a pale complexion, or darkened urine.  Since these are common, it is easy for many people  to dismiss these as signs of stress or poor eating habits, until the liver begins to fail.

Viral hepatitis is not a monolith, says Dr Shubham Vatsya, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology, Fortis Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. "Each type, A to E, is different. The way it spreads, how it manifests, and the kind of long-term damage it causes vary widely," he cautions.

In India, Dr Vatsya adds, the disease is a paradox of both progress and neglect. “While awareness of Hepatitis B and C is growing, infections from A and E continue to surge due to poor sanitation and water hygiene. And yet, most people are unaware of the silent threat,” he says.

Also read | All about hepatitis: Types, causes, symptoms and treatment strategies

Types of viral hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A: It is transmitted mainly through contaminated food and water. “Hepatitis A is acute but short lived. It can cause nausea, fatigue, abdominal discomfort and jaundice. Recovery is usually complete within months,” says Dr Vatsya. Once infected, it is followed by lifelong immunity. “This is common in children and in crowded urban settings with poor hygiene,” he says.

• Hepatitis B: It spreads through infected body fluids. Hepatitis B often goes unnoticed in its early stages. Fever, fatigue, and jaundice are common symptoms, but many remain symptomatic. In some adults, it  becomes chronic, silently leading deliver cirrhosis or even cancer. “It’s alarming how many young adults contract Hepatitis B through unprotected sex or child birth from infected mothers,” says Dr Vatsya.

• Hepatitis C: It spreads via blood contact, often from needles or transfusion. “Many patients don’t show symptoms for years, even decades. The real danger is it chronicity, up to 85 percent of cases become long-term infections. Slowly, it can result in liver failure or the need for  transplantation,” Dr Vatsya warns.

• Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D, shares Dr Vatsya, is a rare type that only infects those already carrying Hepatitis B. “It shares the same transmission, but intensifies liver damage. Co-infection leads to higher chances of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In simple terms, think of it as a virus that needs a partner to cause havoc,” explains Dr Vatsya.

• Hepatitis E: Just like Hepatitis A, it spreads via contaminated water and is typically short term. “However, in pregnant women, it can be life-threatening. Pregnancy and HEV is a dangerous combination. It is important to raise awareness in rural healthcare settings,” Dr Vatsya suggests.