What are the main types of Hepatitis?

1) Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A or infectious jaundice is caused by a virus transmitted by the orofecal route i.e. from the stool (or remnants of it) of one person the mouth of another. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food especially raw sea food and drinks. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. People with hepatitis A are advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis. Strict personal hygiene and the avoidance of raw and unpeeled foods are very important to help prevent an infection.

2) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be both acute and chronic. The virus is normally transmitted through blood (e.g. sharing of syringes and shaving accessories such as razor blades), tattoos (including those professionally done), sexual contact (i.e. Vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex), from mother to her unborn child. However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. In the US, 95% of patients clear their infection and develop antibodies against hepatitis B virus. 5% of patients for some reasons could not clear the infection and they could eventually develop seriouschronic problems such as cirrhosis and cancer.
The good news is a vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis B for life. Hepatitis B infections result in 500,000 to 1,200,000 deaths per year worldwide due to the complications of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer.

3) Hepatitis C
Hepatitis (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") is transmitted through sexual contact and contact with infected blood. It may also lead to a chronic form of hepatitis, resulting in cirrhosis. Unfortunately, it can remain asymptomatic (i.e. showing no symptoms) for 10-20 years. Another bad news is that no vaccine is available for hepatitis C.

4) Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus is a passenger virus that cannot proliferate without the presence of Hepatitis B virus. A passenger virus is a virus that simply adhere to the body of a person or infects the body without causing symptoms, illness and disease. However it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger virus through testing for antigen and antibody.

5) Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E produces symptoms similar to those of Hepatitis A.