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Viruses that cause hepatitis.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not the only virus that causes hepatitis. The three main hepatitis-causing viruses are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV) and HCV. While all three lead to inflammation in the liver, they are different in the way they are spread, how long signs and symptoms may take to appear (incubation period), and how severe the symptoms are. Below are some facts about each virus and how they are different from each other.[1]

Hepatitis A.

  • After the virus enters the body, it takes about two to seven weeks before symptoms manifest
  • The virus is found in the feces of an infected person
  • It is spread through contaminated food or water, or through person-to-person contact
  • Common symptoms are jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, abdominal pain and fever
  • It never becomes chronic and usually goes away on its own (self-limiting)
  • There is a vaccine available to prevent it

Hepatitis B.

  • After the virus enters the body, it takes about six to 22 weeks before symptoms manifest
  • The virus is found in the blood, semen, and other bodily fluids of an infected person
  • It is spread through contact with infected blood/contaminated needles, or sexual contact with an infected person; mothers can also pass it on to their newborns
  • It may cause abdominal pain, clay-colored bowel movements, jaundice, tiredness and fever, or it may have no symptoms at all
  • It becomes a chronic (long-lasting) infection in 5 percent of adult cases and in 25 to 50 percent of pediatric cases
  • There is a vaccine available to prevent it

Hepatitis C.

  • After the virus enters the body, it takes about two to 25 weeks before symptoms manifest
  • The virus is found in the blood of an infected person
  • It is spread through contact with infected blood/contaminated needles, sharing personal hygiene tools (like razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes); it is less commonly passed from mother to newborn or through sexual contact
  • It may cause abdominal pain, clay-colored stool, jaundice, tiredness and fever, or it may have no symptoms at all
  • It becomes chronic in 75 to 85 percent of cases
  • There is no vaccine to prevent it

If you have questions about hepatitis-causing viruses, talk to your doctor or contact our CVS Specialty CareTeam.

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1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm Accessed October 9, 2018.