Clinical Information

Hepatitis A:

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an RNA virus that accounts for 20% to 25% of viral hepatitis in adults in the United States. HAV infection is spread by the oral/fecal route and produces acute hepatitis that follows a benign, self-limited course. Spread of the disease is usually associated with contaminated food or water caused by poor sanitary conditions. Outbreaks frequently occur in overcrowded situations and institutions or high-density centers such as prisons and healthcare centers. Epidemics may occur following floods or other disaster situations. Chronic carriers of HAV have never been observed.

Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that is endemic throughout the world. The infection is spread primarily through percutaneous contact with infected blood products (eg, blood transfusion, sharing of needles among injection drug users). The virus is found in various human body fluids and is known to be spread through oral and genital contact. HBV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through contact with blood and vaginal secretions; it is not commonly transmitted transplacentally.

After a course of acute illness, HBV persists in approximately 10% of patients. Some chronic carriers are asymptomatic, while others develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus recognized as the cause of most cases of posttransfusion hepatitis that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. HCV is transmitted through contaminated blood or blood products or close, personal contact. HCV shows a high rate of progression (~75%) to chronic disease. In the United States, HCV infection is quite common, with an estimated 3.5 to 4 million chronic HCV carriers. Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are sequelae of chronic HCV.