Viral Hepatitis

» Hepatitis A (PDF,52kb)

» Hepatitis B (PDF,59kb)

» Hepatitis C

» Hepatitis D (PDF,20kb)

» Hepatitis E (PDF,30kb)

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2009 Viral Hepatitis Proclamation (PDF, 713kb)

• May is Hepatitis Awareness Month (PDF, 123kb)

• Hepatitis Hotline 1-866-917-4HEP

A Hepatitis A: is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.  Hepatitis A is spread by eating food that is contaminated with feces from an infected person. People may become infected after they eat uncooked food prepared by an infected person with poor personal hygiene, especially improper hand washing after using the bathroom or changing a baby's diaper. Although uncommon in Washington, contaminated water and raw shellfish can also spread the virus.

B    Hepatitis B: is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is spread by sexual intercourse with an infected person, through contact with infected blood, or from a mother to a child during birth. Hepatitis B infection can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and possibly death.

C Hepatitis C: is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.  Hepatitis C is spread through contact of infected blood, injection drug use, and through an infected mother to her baby during birth. Most infected persons develop chronic, long-term hepatitis C (carrier) and can spread the infection. Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure are serious risks with this disease, but may take decades to develop.

D Hepatitis D (Delta): is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis D needs Hepatitis B in order to exist. Hepatitis B is spread by sexual intercourse with an infected person, through contact with infected blood, or from a mother to a child during birth.

E     Hepatitis E: is a is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis E is not common in the United States, however it is very similar to Hepatitis A.

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