These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 354 million people currently live with chronic hepatitis B and C globally.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 257 million are living with chronic hepatitis B worldwide.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections globally and typically presents as a long-term condition.
Hepatitis D
This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection.
Globally, HDV affects almost 5 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.
This disease is uncommon, according to the CDC.
Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
