Hepatitis

Overview

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents leading to a range of health problems, including severe liver damage and cancer, some of which can be fatal.

There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. While they can all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution and prevention methods.

In particular, types B and C lead to chronic diseases in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths.

1.3 Million

Deaths annually

304 Million

People living with Hepatitis B or C

90%

Reduction target in new infections by 2030

Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis exhibit only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Each form of the virus, however, can cause more severe symptoms.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness that doesn't improve with rest

Jaundice

Yellowing of skin and eyes

Abdominal Pain

Discomfort in upper right abdomen

Loss of Appetite

Reduced desire to eat

Nausea

Feeling sick to stomach

Dark Urine

Tea-colored urine

Prevention & Vaccination

Hepatitis A

Vaccine Available

2 doses, 6-12 months apart

Hepatitis B

Vaccine Available

3 doses, highly effective

Hepatitis C

No Vaccine

Prevention through safe practices

Hepatitis D

Indirect Protection

Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection

Hepatitis E

Limited Availability

Vaccine available in China

Hepatitis Fact Sheets

Complete information based on WHO guidelines for each hepatitis type.

Hepatitis A

How it Spreads:

Contaminated food and water

Poor hygiene and sanitation

Vaccine:

Available

2 doses, 6-12 months apart | Effectiveness: ~100%

Key Facts (WHO):

No chronic infection - usually self-limiting

Good hygiene prevents spread

Rarely fatal

Hepatitis B

How it Spreads:

Blood contact

Unprotected sex

Mother to baby during birth

Vaccine:

Available

3 doses (0, 1, 6 months) | Effectiveness: 95%

Key Facts (WHO):

296 million people chronically infected worldwide

Leading cause of liver cancer

820,000 deaths annually

Hepatitis C

How it Spreads:

Blood contact

Sharing needles

Unsafe medical procedures

Vaccine:

Not Available

Prevention through safe practices only

Key Facts (WHO):

58 million people chronically infected

Antiviral cure available (>95% effective)

290,000 deaths annually

Hepatitis D

How it Spreads:

Same as Hepatitis B

Only affects people who already have Hepatitis B

Vaccine:

Indirect Protection

Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection

Key Facts (WHO):

15-20 million people infected worldwide

Accelerates liver damage

Increases cirrhosis and cancer risk

Hepatitis E

How it Spreads:

Contaminated water

Undercooked meat

Vaccine:

Limited Availability

Available in China only | 3 doses required

Key Facts (WHO):

20 million infections annually

Dangerous for pregnant women

44,000 deaths annually

Information Source:

All information based on World Health Organization (WHO) data and guidelines.

For latest updates, visit: WHO Hepatitis Information