
Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, are distinct diseases that affect the liver. Other causes of hepatitis include drugs and medications. Each type of hepatitis has different hepatitis symptoms and causes. The most common cause of virus type A, B, non-A, or non-B is contamination contact. Type C is a frequent result of post-transfusion hepatitis. Other causes may be excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse (street and pharmaceutical) and over exposure to certain chemicals. Symptoms in early stage are usually loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, fever, nausea/vomiting, rashes and pains in the joints. Later on urine may turn dark followed by skin turning yellow (jaundice). The liver is usually enlarged and tender to the touch and can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Infectious hepatitis can spread easily two weeks before and one week after jaundice appears. Strict hygiene should be observed during this time.