| HEPATITIS TYPE |
MAIN METHODS OF TRANSMISSION |
COMMON OUTCOME |
| A (HAV, infectious hepatitis) |
Contamination of food, etc. with fecal matter from infected person |
Often resolves completely after 4 to 8 weeks; usually does not become chronic |
| B (HBV, serum hepatitis) |
Contaminated blood transfusions; shared needles associated with intravenous drug use |
Often less favorable than type A; can be fatal in 10 to 10% of cases in the elderly and after blood transfusions; can become chronic in 10 to 15% of cases |
| C (HCV, hepatitis C) |
Shared needles or contaminated blood transfusion; sexual transmission rate low but possible |
Irregular course; patient is often asymptomatic for years; can lead to chronic hepatitis |
| D (delta agent) |
This virus is closely associated with HBV |
Exists only concurrent with hepatitis B; causes extremely severe symptoms; may be an important cause of hepatitis worldwide |
