Kankakee County Health Department, 2390 W Station St, Kankakee, Illinois 60901

Phone: (815) 802-9400 | TTY: (815) 802-9312 | Fax: (815) 802-9391 | Español: (815) 802-9350 | Email: info@kankakeehealth.org

The ABCs of Hepatitis

	Hepatitis A (HAV)	Hepatitis B (HBV)	Hepatitis C (HCV)	Hepatitis D (HDV)	Hepatitis E (HEV)
What is it?	HAV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It does not lead to chronic disease.	HBV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus can cause liver cell damage, leading to cirrhosis and cancer.	HCV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. This infection can lead to cirrhosis and cancer.	HDV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It only infects those persons with HBV.	HEV is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is rare in the U.S. There is no chronic state.
Incubation Period	15 to 50 days. Average 30 days.	4 to 25 weeks. Average 8 to 12 weeks.	2 to 25 weeks. Average 7 to 9 weeks.	4 to 26 weeks.	2 to 9 weeks. Average 40 days.
How is it spread?	Transmitted by fecal/oral route Through close person to person contact Ingestion of contaminated food and water	Contact with infected blood, seminal fluid, and vaginal secretions. Sex contact Contaminated needles Tattoo/body piercing and other sharp instruments Infected mother to newborn Human bite	Contact with infected blood Contaminated IV needles or razors Tattoo/body piercing and other sharp instruments Infected mother to newborn It is not easily transmitted through sex.	Contact with infected blood, contaminated needles Sexual contact with HDV infected person	Transmitted through fecal/oral route Outbreaks associated with contaminated water supply in other countries.
Symptoms	May have no symptoms. Adults may have light stools, dark urine, fatigue, fever and jaundice.	May have no symptoms. Some persons have mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue and fever.	Same as HBV	Same as HBV	Same as HBV
Treatment of Chronic Disease	Not applicable.	Interferon is effective in up to 35-45% of those treated.	Interferon is effective in 10-20% of those treated.	Interferon with varying success.	Not applicable.
Vaccine	Two doses of vaccine to anyone over the age of two.	Three doses may be given to persons of any age.	None	None	None
Who is at risk?	Household or sex contact with an infected person or living in an area with HAV outbreak Travelers to developing countries Homosexual men IV drug users	Infants born to infected mother Having sex with infected person or multiple partners IV drug users Emergency responders and healthcare workers Homosexual men Hemodialysis patients.	Anyone who had a blood transfusion before 1990 Healthcare workers IV drug users Hemodialysis patients Infants born to infected mother Multiple sex partners	IV drug users Homosexual men Those haveing sex with a HDV infected person.	Travelers to developing countries
Prevention	Immune Globulin or vaccination Wash hands after going to the toilet Clean surfaces contaminated with feces, such as changing tables.	Vaccination and safe sex Clean up any infected blood with bleach and wear protected gloves Do not share razors or toothbrushes	Safe sex Clean up spilled blood with bleach Wear gloves when touching blood Do not share razors or toothbrushes	Hepatitis B vaccine to prevent HBV infection Safe sex	Avoid drinking or using potentially contaminated water

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