Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Viral Hepatitis

  • Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with a virus. The following viruses cause most cases of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Hepatitis D virus (HDV) Hepatitis E virus...

  • Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease. It is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is spread from person to person through contact with the feces (stool) of people who are infected, which can easily happen if someone does not wash his or her hands properly. You can also get hepatitis A from food, water, or object…

  • Immunization against the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is recommended for anyone traveling to any country or area except: Australia. Canada. Japan. New Zealand. The United States. Western Europe and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Finland). Talk to your doctor...

  • What is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a virus that can infect the liver. In most cases, the infection goes away on its own and doesn't lead to long-term liver problems. In rare cases, it can be more serious. Other viruses ( hepatitis B and hepatitis C) also can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis A is the most common type...

  • Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with a virus. The following viruses cause most cases of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Hepatitis D virus (HDV) Hepatitis E virus...

  • Lists common sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV (genital warts), syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Includes interactive tool to help you decide when to call a doctor. Covers safer sex. Offers prevention tips.

  • The hepatitis A virus test is a blood test that shows if you have a hepatitis A infection now or had it in the past. The test looks for antibodies made by the body to fight the virus. They will be in your blood if you have a hepatitis A infection now or have had one in the past. Hepatitis A...

  • Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a serious, long illness. Acute hepatitis B infection is a short-term illness that can lead to fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice...

  • Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with a virus. The following viruses cause most cases of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Hepatitis D virus (HDV) Hepatitis E virus...

  • Covers hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests that check for hepatitis B infection. Looks at most common HBV tests. Explains how tests are done and how to prepare for them. Looks at other tests that show how well the liver is working. Covers test results.

  • People who are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) virus may develop a chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis. The damage that results increases the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). If you have chronic...

  • The following tips can help you prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Inform the people you live with and/or have sex with about your illness as soon as possible. If you have long-term (chronic) HBV infection, you can infect others with the virus even if you have no symptoms of illness. Do not...

  • What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis B. Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your liver. Babies and young children...

  • Lists common sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV (genital warts), syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Includes interactive tool to help you decide when to call a doctor. Covers safer sex. Offers prevention tips.

  • Many people worry about getting a disease like hepatitis or HIV from an accidental needle stick. But it doesn't happen often. Most of the time, the person on whom the needle was used doesn't have hepatitis, HIV, or another infection that can be spread that way. When the person does have an infection that can be spread...

  • Guides you through the decision to take antiviral drugs for chronic hepatitis B. Covers treatment with interferons and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

  • A postvaccination test for immunity to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended only if you: Have an impaired immune system. This can be caused by many things, such as infection with HIV or the use of medicines to prevent organ rejection. Are older than age 49. Received the hepatitis B vaccine in the buttock. (The...

  • The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease has made recommendations for treating long-term (chronic) hepatitis B. These recommendations are based on the presence of hepatitis B antigens in your blood, the level of hepatitis B viral DNA ( HBV DNA) in your blood, and the level of the liver enzyme alanine...

  • Guides through decision to be tested for hepatitis B. Explains hepatitis B and discusses causes and lifestyles that put you at higher risk. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

  • Up to 85% of people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus will develop long-term (chronic) infection. About 25% of people who have chronic hepatitis C will go on to develop cirrhosis—severe liver damage and scarring—after a period of...

  • Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with a virus. The following viruses cause most cases of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Hepatitis D virus (HDV) Hepatitis E virus...

  • Discusses hepatitis C, a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. Covers causes and symptoms. Includes info on the two phases, acute and chronic. Includes info on cirrhosis. Covers treatment with antiviral medicines and surgery.

  • People who are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) virus may develop a chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis. The damage that results increases the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). If you have chronic...

  • Lists common sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV (genital warts), syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Includes interactive tool to help you decide when to call a doctor. Covers safer sex. Offers prevention tips.

  • Many people worry about getting a disease like hepatitis or HIV from an accidental needle stick. But it doesn't happen often. Most of the time, the person on whom the needle was used doesn't have hepatitis, HIV, or another infection that can be spread that way. When the person does have an infection that can be spread...

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) test is a blood test that looks for the genetic material ( RNA) of the virus that causes hepatitis or for the proteins ( antibodies) the body makes against HCV. These proteins will be present in your blood if you have a hepatitis C infection now or have had one in the past. Different tests are...

  • Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infection with a virus. The following viruses cause most cases of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Hepatitis D virus (HDV) Hepatitis E virus...

  • Infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta agent, occurs only in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV infection may make HBV infection more severe. In people who have long-term (chronic) HBV infection, HDV infection can make liver disease worse. Or it can cause a...

  • Hepatitis E is a virus that can infect the liver. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, the hepatitis E virus usually doesn't lead to long-term illness or serious liver damage. Most people get well within a few months. People usually get hepatitis E by...

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