Hepatitis A

• Rare in the UK.
• Usually passed on through contaminated hands, water, or food, somtimes by close contact.
• Most people make a full recovery without medical treatment.
• People with a long-term liver condition are more at risk. 
• A free and very effective vaccine is available on the NHS for people at risk.

Hepatitis B

• Usually passed on from mother to baby during birth.
• Can cause short (acute) illness or long term (chronic) liver disease.
• Many people live with hepatitis B for years before having any symptoms.
• A good vaccine is available for all babies born in the UK and for people at risk.
• Treatments aim to control the virus and slow down or stop liver damage.

Hepatitis C

• Passed on by blood to blood contact.
• Many people won’t have symptoms for months or years after they pick it up.
• No current vaccine.
• Treatment is taking tablets for 8-12 weeks. Most people have no side effects.
• Can cause serious liver damage if not treated.

Hepatitis D

• A rare condition.
• You can only get hepatitis D if you also have hepatitis B.
• Can cause serious liver damage.
• Treatment aims to manage the virus.

Hepatitis E

• Common type of short-term viral hepatitis.
• Most people will have no symptoms.
• Most people will get better in a few weeks with no medical treatment.
• Can be very serious if you already have a liver condition or you are immunosuppressed.
• The types of hepatitis E found in some other parts of the world can be very dangerous in pregnancy.
• Long term (Chronic) Hepatitis E can be treated with anti-viral drugs.