Hepatitis: Causes

What causes hepatitis?

There are numerous causes of inflammation of the liver, with viral infections being a common cause. Among the viral types, hepatitis A and E are both spread primarily through food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Hepatitis E is rare in the United States. Hepatitis B can be spread through infected blood, usually from infected needles or blood transfusions or by sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Hepatitis C, the most common type of viral hepatitis, can be spread through sexual contact and childbirth but is most often transmitted through infected blood. Hepatitis D is spread through contact with infected blood in the presence of hepatitis B.

Causes of hepatitis

Hepatitis may be caused by the following:

• Alcohol abuse
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (an inherited condition that predisposes to liver and lung damage)
• Autoimmune reaction
• Decreased blood flow to the liver
• Drugs or toxins
• Hemochromatosis (disorder characterized by excess iron in the body)
• Obstructive jaundice
• Viral infection
• Wilson’s disease (disorder leading to excess copper deposition in the body)
• What are the risk factors for hepatitis?

A number of risk factors increase the risk of developing hepatitis. Not all people with risk factors will get hepatitis. Although these risk factors will vary depending on the type of hepatitis, risk factors for hepatitis include:

• Alcohol abuse
• Consumption of contaminated water or food
• Contact with utensils, bedding, clothing, or personal items used by someone infected with hepatitis
• Diseases that require multiple blood transfusions
• Exposure to blood or body fluids of an infected person
• Exposure to needles, including tattoo needles, used by an infected person
• Sexual contact with someone infected with hepatitis
• Travel to places with contaminated water or poor sanitation practices

Reducing your risk of hepatitis

You may be able to lower your risk of hepatitis by:

• Avoiding contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person
• Avoiding contact with used needles
• Avoiding contact with utensils, bedding, clothing, or personal items used by someone infected with hepatitis
• Boiling any water that might be contaminated before drinking it or using it to brush your teeth
• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
• Limiting travel in places with sanitation deficiencies