What happens when you have hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a liver disease that can be caused by different viruses, chemicals, and drugs. When someone has hepatitis, the liver becomes inflamed and can't work as well as it should. This can lead to a number of symptoms, including:

* Fatigue

* Nausea and vomiting

* Abdominal pain

* Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

* Dark urine

* Light-colored stools

* Itchy skin

* Joint pain

* Fever

In some cases, hepatitis can lead to liver failure and even death.

There are five main types of hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Each type of virus is transmitted in a different way.

* Hepatitis A is spread through contact with contaminated food or water.

* Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.

* Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood.

* Hepatitis D is only spread in people who already have hepatitis B.

* Hepatitis E is spread through contact with contaminated food or water.

There are vaccines available to prevent hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C, but there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease. There is no cure for hepatitis D or E, but the symptoms can be managed.