Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Links
	Hepatitis A
	Hepatitis A is one of five known viruses that cause inflammation of the liver (the others are B, C, D and E). Transmission is usually by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with fecal matter containing the virus. A person infected with hepatitis A may not have any symptoms. Common symptoms resemble the flu. These include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain in the liver area, dark urine or light colored stools and fever. Liver function tests are elevated, with many adults developing jaundice. Most people recover from the hepatitis A virus within six months without any serious health problems. There are two approved vaccines available in the U.S. for protection against hepatitis A. They are made from inactive hepatitis A virus particles.

	15-45 days Incubation	0-14 days Acute infection in early fase	3-6 months Acute infection	years Recovery
Anti-HAV IgM
Anti-HAV
Potential Infectivity
Immunity

	Hepatitis B
	Hepatitis B is one of five known viruses that cause inflammation of the liver (the others are A, C, D and E). Most people recover from the hepatitis B virus without any serious health problems. However, approximately 5-10% of those people who are infected with the virus will become carriers, an estimated 5-10% of those people infected each year will progress to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and possibly liver cancer. This disease is transmitted through infected blood and other body fluids (seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, breast milk, tears, saliva and open sores). In approximately 30-40% of cases the method of transmission is unknown. Protection Against Hepatitis B You can protect yourself against hepatitis B with a safe and effective vaccine. To be fully protected three injections are required; the second one a month after the first injection and the third one six months later.

	4-12 weeks	1-2 weeks		2 weeks-3 months		3-6 months		years
	incubation	inc. early fase	early acute infection	acute infection	serum-conversion	convalescence	initial recovery	recovery
HbeAg
HBsAg
Anti-HBc IgM
Anti-HBc
Anti-HBe
Anti-HBs
Infectivity
Potential Infectivity
Uncertain Infectivity
Immunity

	Hepatitis C
	The hepatitis C virus was identified in 1989, and in 1990 a hepatitis C antibody test (anti-HCV) became available to identify individuals exposed to HCV. Individuals infected with HCV are often identified because they are found to have elevated liver enzymes on a routine blood test or because a hepatitis C antibody is found to be positive at the time of blood donation. HCV can be transmitted through blood transfusions. Individuals who may come in contact with infected blood, instruments, or needles, such as I.V. drug users, health care workers or laboratory technicians are also at risk of acquiring hepatitis C, as are those who undergo tattooing or body piercing. Currently, there is no vaccine available to immunize individuals against this virus.
	Links
	Focus on hepatitis C Hepatitis C Merck Manual Diseases of the Liver Hepatitis C Home Page