Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and it can be caused by a virus or other non-viral causes. The main difference between the viruses is how they are spread and the effects they have on your health.
Approximately 570 million people worldwide are affected by hepatitis B or C – that is one in every 12 people. While there are six different types of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E and G) – in Australia, the most common types are A, B and C.
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver; however it does not lead to long-term liver disease. Click on the link above for more information.
Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause damage to your liver. Up to 165,000 people in Australia have chronic (long-term) hep B. Hepatitis B is different to HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis A, C, D or E. Click on the link above for more information.
Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus; this means that for transmission to occur hepatitis C positive blood must directly enter the bloodstream of another person. Click on the link above for more information.
Hepatitis A, B and C: A comparison
| Hepatitis | Transmission | Incubation Period* | Chronic Infection | Vaccine |
| Hepatitis A | Faecal-oral Contaminated food and water Contaminated hand-to-mouth contact |
2-7 weeks | No | Yes |
| Hepatitis B | Sexual contact Blood-to-blood Mother with hepatitis B to her newborn baby |
6-26 weeks | Yes | Yes |
| Hepatitis C | Blood-to-blood Mother with chronic hepatitis C to her newborn baby (low risk) |
2-26 weeks | Yes | No |
*Incubation period: from time of exposure until onset of virus