Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis

2:54The Five Types of Viral Hepatitis

2:54

The Five Types of Viral Hepatitis

Common Causes

While hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis, certain medical conditions, medications, or drugs can lead someone to develop it, too.

Viral Hepatitis

Among these viruses, HBV and HCV are themost common causesof chronic infections and the most likely to cause severe liver damage.

Some researchers think other viruses (not listed above) might also cause hepatitis, but so far no more microbes have been clearly linked to the condition.

Is Hepatitis Contagious?

Toxic Hepatitis

Toxic hepatitis is when substances damage the liver and cause it to swell. The primary drivers behind toxic hepatitis are alcohol, toxic chemicals, and certain medications.

Alcohol:Alcohol’s damaging impact on the liver iswell documented, andalcoholic hepatitisis justone of manyharmful conditions that can come as a result of long-term or heavy drinking.

Drugs:Some over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause toxic hepatitis, including:

In some cases, use of the above medications (especially in high doses) might trigger hepatitis in people who are already susceptible, such as those with other underlying liver disease.

It’s important to note that most people can safely take medications in a wide range of doses under healthcare provider supervision without ever developing hepatitis.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is when your own body’s defenses attack your liver, causing it to swell and become damaged. It’s unclear exactly what causes autoimmune hepatitis, but researchers think both genes and environmental factors (like medications or viruses) could play a role. Approximately 70% of people with autoimmune hepatitis are women, typically between the ages of 15 and 40. Many people with this disease also have other autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, vitiligo, orSjögren’s disease.

Lifestyle Risk Factors

Some things can increase your chances of developing hepatitis, including certain environmental factors, behaviors or health issues.

Julie Bang / Verywell

Environmental Risk Factors

Because many causes of hepatitis are found in a person’s surroundings, exposure to certain environmental factors can make you more likely to develop hepatitis over time. Environmental risk factors associated with hepatitis include:

Behavioral Risk Factors

Likewise, some behaviors or activities can make it more likely you’ll be exposed to viruses, toxic chemicals or substances that cause hepatitis. Behaviors that increase a person’s chances of developing hepatitis include:

Health Risk Factors

A person’s health history might also affect the chances he or she will develop hepatitis.

Health risk factors for hepatitis include:

If you have questions or concerns about your risk for hepatitis (especially regarding your vaccination history or medications you’re taking), talk to your healthcare provider during your next checkup or clinic visit.

Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss with you the specific steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing hepatitis or other liver conditions.

Frequently Asked QuestionsTreatment varies depending on the type of hepatitis. Hepatitis A will usually resolve on its own with rest and plenty of fluids. Hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral medications, which usually need to be taken for the rest of the person’s life. Hepatitis C is also treated with antivirals, but more than 90% of cases are cured with eight to 12 weeks of therapy.Vaccinations are available to prevent hepatitis A and B (there is no vaccine for hepatitis C). Hepatitis A can also be avoided with good hygiene and careful hand-washing. To prevent hepatitis B and C, use condoms during sexual activity, be cautious about getting tattoos and piercings, and do not share needles with anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment varies depending on the type of hepatitis. Hepatitis A will usually resolve on its own with rest and plenty of fluids. Hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral medications, which usually need to be taken for the rest of the person’s life. Hepatitis C is also treated with antivirals, but more than 90% of cases are cured with eight to 12 weeks of therapy.

Vaccinations are available to prevent hepatitis A and B (there is no vaccine for hepatitis C). Hepatitis A can also be avoided with good hygiene and careful hand-washing. To prevent hepatitis B and C, use condoms during sexual activity, be cautious about getting tattoos and piercings, and do not share needles with anyone.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What Is Viral Hepatitis?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis BNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis CNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis EU.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus.Drug-induced liver injuryAmerican Liver Foundation.Autoimmune HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Viral hepatitis.Additional ReadingDrug-induced liver injury: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000226.htm.Symptoms & causes of autoimmune hepatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseaseshttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/autoimmune-hepatitis/symptoms-causes.Toxic Hepatitis. Cleveland Clinic.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17915-toxic-hepatitis.What is hepatitis? World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/features/qa/76/en/.What Is Viral Hepatitis? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/what-is-viral-hepatitis.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What Is Viral Hepatitis?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis BNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis CNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis EU.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus.Drug-induced liver injuryAmerican Liver Foundation.Autoimmune HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Viral hepatitis.Additional ReadingDrug-induced liver injury: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000226.htm.Symptoms & causes of autoimmune hepatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseaseshttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/autoimmune-hepatitis/symptoms-causes.Toxic Hepatitis. Cleveland Clinic.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17915-toxic-hepatitis.What is hepatitis? World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/features/qa/76/en/.What Is Viral Hepatitis? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/what-is-viral-hepatitis.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What Is Viral Hepatitis?National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis BNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis CNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis EU.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus.Drug-induced liver injuryAmerican Liver Foundation.Autoimmune HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis basics.Cleveland Clinic.Viral hepatitis.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What Is Viral Hepatitis?

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis B

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis C

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hepatitis E

U.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus.Drug-induced liver injury

American Liver Foundation.Autoimmune Hepatitis

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis basics.

Cleveland Clinic.Viral hepatitis.

Drug-induced liver injury: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000226.htm.Symptoms & causes of autoimmune hepatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseaseshttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/autoimmune-hepatitis/symptoms-causes.Toxic Hepatitis. Cleveland Clinic.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17915-toxic-hepatitis.What is hepatitis? World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/features/qa/76/en/.What Is Viral Hepatitis? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/what-is-viral-hepatitis.

Drug-induced liver injury: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000226.htm.

Symptoms & causes of autoimmune hepatitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseaseshttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/autoimmune-hepatitis/symptoms-causes.

Toxic Hepatitis. Cleveland Clinic.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17915-toxic-hepatitis.

What is hepatitis? World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/features/qa/76/en/.

What Is Viral Hepatitis? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/what-is-viral-hepatitis.

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