Viral Hepatitis

Several distinct viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation that is called hepatitis. The most prevalent of these in the United States are hepatitis A, B and C.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is acquired from contaminated food or water. In healthy individuals, it causes an acute illness with fever, loss of appetite and jaundice lasting two to three weeks. Complete recovery is the rule, followed by life-long immunity to the virus. In people with pre-existing advanced liver disease, acute hepatitis A tends to be severe and can be fatal.

Hepatitis B

Acquired through exposure to the blood or secretions of an infected person, hepatitis B also can be transmitted through sexual contact. Newborns may acquire it at the time of birth from a mother with active hepatitis B.

Adults who contract hepatitis B have an acute illness that ranges from very mild, with flu-like symptoms only, to nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice.

Most people with the condition recover and develop immunity, but 5 percent to 10 percent become persistently infected, and have the potential to infect others. For infants who are exposed at birth and do not receive treatment, the rate of chronic infection is much higher. People with long-standing active hepatitis B, spanning more than 20 years, are at risk of developing liver cancer.

Hepatitis C

Currently the main mode of transmission of hepatitis C is through injecting illicit drugs using needles from infected persons. Prior to the testing of banked blood, the disease was passed through transfusions. Unlike hepatitis B, the rate of sexual transmission is low.

The acute illness is frequently very mild. However, many people fail to clear the virus, such that about 70 percent become chronically infected. An estimated 4 million Americans have hepatitis C, many of whom are unaware of their condition.

The virus causes inflammation that slowly and insidiously, over a period of 20 to 30 years, leads to scarring of the liver. As the disease progresses, the first sign may be nothing more than decreased energy. As the liver disease becomes significant, patients may experience retention of fluid, causing swelling of the ankles and increased weight, internal bleeding and confusion. The rate of disease progression is variable, for reasons that are only partially understood. It is clear that heavy alcohol use accelerates the pace of disease. In people who develop advanced scarring of the liver, a condition known as cirrhosis, the risk of developing liver cancer is significant.

Our Approach to Viral Hepatitis

UCSF offers the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options for patients with all forms of viral hepatitis. Our approach depends on the type and severity of the disease. Hepatitis A usually resolves on its own, so we help patients manage their symptoms and avoid spreading the infection. We treat chronic cases of hepatitis B or C with the latest medication therapies.

Chronic hepatitis infections can lead to severe liver damage or failure if patients don't respond to treatment or don't know they have the virus until symptoms of liver disease appear. In these cases, a liver transplant may be necessary. Our liver transplant program, designated a center of excellence by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is known for outstanding outcomes and for helping pioneer techniques that have made transplants safer and more successful. We perform more than 100 transplants each year, and our survival statistics are among the very best in the country.