Hepatitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the tissue of the liver. It can be caused due to a plethora of factors, including alcohol abuse, an overactive immune system, virus, and more. So, even if you’ve been vaccinated against hepatitis, you might have many questions about the same. Here are some facts worth knowing about the most common kinds of hepatitis – B and C.

Viral hepatitis is of 5 kinds
The acute hepatitis A often goes away on its own and spreads mainly via the oral-fecal route. The acute/chronic hepatitis B spreads via bodily fluids like semen and blood. Hepatitis C majorly spreads via blood and, more often than not, develops into a chronic condition. Hepatitis D and E are less common, and hepatitis E spread just like hepatitis A. Hepatitis D, on the other hand, can only be contracted if the individual already suffers from hepatitis B. They’re usually found to happen in underdeveloped countries.

Non-viral hepatitis can be caused by many factors
Even if one is vaccinated against viruses, catching a virus isn’t the only way of contracting hepatitis. One can contract hepatitis from alcohol abuse, OTC or prescription drugs, or even exposure to toxic chemicals. This is known as toxic hepatitis. There’s also autoimmune hepatitis, when the immune system of the body attacks the liver and treats it as a hostile intruder.

Chronic hepatitis may not show any symptoms
One is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis when the condition lasts longer than 6 months. While chronic hepatitis usually follows a bout of acute hepatitis, it’s more often than not asymptomatic. It only shows vague signs and symptoms, such as non-specific abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and malaise.

Yellow skin and eyes are common symptoms of acute hepatitis
Acute hepatitis presents crystal-clear signs and symptoms, unlike chronic hepatitis. These include flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, and pale stool. One of the most tell-tale signs, however, is jaundice, which is characterized by yellow eyes or skin. This indicates an excess of the orange-colored waste material of bilirubin in the body. The buildup occurs because the liver doesn’t function properly.

Some kinds of hepatitis can be prevented with vaccines
Hepatitis kinds A and B can be both protected against vaccines. The hepatitis A vaccine is administered in 2 doses 6–18 months apart and the hepatitis B vaccine is doled out in 3 shots over a period of 6 months. Since the vaccine was first introduced and administered in the 1980s, the number of hepatitis A and B cases in the country dropped by as much as 95% and 73% percent respectively.

Currently, there exists no vaccine for hepatitis C
While hepatitis C is the most common kind of viral hepatitis, there still exists no vaccine for it. There are at least 6 genetically distinct kinds of the Hep-C virus, and about 50 subtypes. So, developing a vaccine that will fight against all different kinds of hepatitis C is difficult, but medical experts and doctors are working on it.