Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection spread through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and C are most often spread through blood or body fluids (such as needles, sexual contact, or from mother to baby) and can become chronic, leading to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer over time if untreated. Many people with chronic hepatitis B or C have few or no symptoms for years, which is why screening and follow-up are so important.
Many people have no symptoms, especially with chronic hepatitis B or C. When symptoms do occur, they can resemble a “flu-like” illness with fatigue, nausea, and jaundice.
Call the office if you have been exposed to someone with hepatitis, have abnormal liver tests, or develop symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, or persistent fatigue. Also call if you have known hepatitis and notice a change in your usual symptoms.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, confusion, heavy bleeding, very deep jaundice, or if you feel extremely unwell with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or signs of shock.
Diagnosis is made with blood tests that look for specific viral markers and liver enzyme levels. Additional tests may include imaging or, in some cases, a liver biopsy or noninvasive fibrosis assessment to determine the amount of liver damage.
Hepatitis A usually resolves on its own with supportive care. Chronic hepatitis B and C are managed with antiviral medications that can suppress or eliminate the virus and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, but not for hepatitis C.
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