Describe the THREE main types of viral hepatitis AND briefly explain how these viruses are most often spread between patients.

The three main types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

1. Hepatitis A: This is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A is a short-term disease and does not lead to chronic infection.

2. Hepatitis B: This is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting hepatitis B. It’s estimated by the CDC that 1.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B and many more are unaware they have it.

3. Hepatitis C: This comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact. HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States. Approximately 2.7 to 3.9 million people currently live with a chronic form of this infection.