Viral Hepatitis Infection

What is hepatitis? "Hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver and also refers to a group of viral infections that affect the liver. There are several different types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types in the U.S.

How many people are affected by hepatitis? Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; most do not know they are infected. About 80,000 new infections occur each year.

Is there a vaccine to prevent certain types of hepatitis? There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis A and B.

Am I at risk? Hepatitis A, B, and C are spread in different ways, so some groups of people are at higher risk of getting certain types of hepatitis than others. Find out if you are at higher risk by checking the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) hepatitis website.

Looking for more information about the different types of hepatitis? Visit our pages below!

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus. Approximately 10–30 cases of hepatitis A are reported in Wisconsin each year.

Get the facts about hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious infection that can either cause serious short-term health problems or could cause illness that affects you for the rest of your life.

Learn how to protect yourself from hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

An estimated 47,000 people are living with hepatitis C in Wisconsin. Hepatitis C can cause liver failure, cancer, and sometimes death.

Learn more about hepatitis C

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is an incomplete virus. It needs help from the hepatitis B virus to infect people. Hepatitis D only infects people who have the hepatitis B virus.

Learn the basics about hepatitis D

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that usually results in an acute infection. It does not lead to a chronic infection.

Get the facts about hepatitis E

Questions about hepatitis? Contact us!