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Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term infections but in some people, the virus remains in the body and causes chronic, or lifelong, infection.

There is no cure for hepatitis B infection, but it can be managed. A vaccine also is available to prevent hepatitis B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but new treatments have the potential to cure hepatitis C infection in most people and prevent long-term complications. What is acute hepatitis?

Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver. If left untreated, it can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to the liver over many years. However, with modern treatments it's easily possible to cure the infection and most people with it will have a normal life expectancy.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by a virus (called the hepatitis B virus, or HBV). It can be serious and there's no cure, but the good news is it's easy to prevent.

Hepatitis A can be spread from close, personal contact with an infected person, such as through certain types of sexual contact (like oral-anal sex), caring for someone who is ill, or using drugs with others. Hepatitis A is very contagious, and people can even spread the virus before they feel sick.

The following symptoms may occur with HCV infection: Pain in the right upper abdomen. Abdominal swelling due to fluid (ascites) Clay-colored or pale stools. Dark urine. Fatigue. Fever. Itching. Jaundice.

There is no cure for hepatitis once it occurs. Treatment focuses on preventing further damage to the liver, reversing existing damage if possible and symptom relief. Most cases of acute hepatitis will resolve over time.

Viral hepatitis can be fatal Viral hepatitis types A, B, C, D, and E can cause infection and subsequent liver inflammation that can lead to serious diseases, including liver cancer, or even death. People who contract hepatitis A and E almost always recover and do not need treatment.