[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/11\/whats-the-difference-between-hepatitis-a-b-and-c\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/11\/whats-the-difference-between-hepatitis-a-b-and-c\/","headline":"What\u2019s the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B, and C?","name":"What\u2019s the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B, and C?","description":"Did you know there are different types of hepatitis? The three most common are A, B, and C, each named for the specific virus that causes the disease.","datePublished":"2018-11-26","dateModified":"2021-06-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","name":"Transplant Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/transplant-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/types-of-hep-c.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/types-of-hep-c.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/11\/whats-the-difference-between-hepatitis-a-b-and-c\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":331,"articleBody":"Did you know that the most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C?Hepatitis A is spread through the stool of an infected person, hepatitis B is spread through bodily fluids, and hepatitis C is spread through blood. It\u2019s important to remember that you can\u2019t get hepatitis just by touching someone who is infected.To avoid exposure to the disease, wash your hands regularly, wear protective gloves, and never share needles.Find out more information about liver transplants at UPMC.Symptoms of HepatitisSymptoms of hepatitis can vary depending on the type. Although some people may not experience symptoms at all, important signs to look for include:FatigueLoss of appetiteJaundiceAbdominal painGeneral aches and painsItchingHivesJoint painDark urineLoose, light-colored stoolNausea and vomitingTreatment for HepatitisTreatments vary for each type of hepatitis. Hepatitis A and B may go away on their own within a few weeks. If the infection lasts longer than six weeks, however, you may need medication.Hepatitis C is more serious and requires treatment. While antivirals have shown success in treating hepatitis C, \u00a0they may cause serious side effects.Over a long period of time, hepatitis C can harm the liver and lead to:Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)Liver cancerLiver failureHepatitis and Liver TransplantAny form of hepatitis can cause liver damage. If the liver becomes severely damaged, a liver transplant is necessary.With more than 14,000 Americans on the waiting list for a liver transplant, patients often wait years for a transplant. Living donor transplantation allows a transplant to take place before the disease progresses further.To reduce time on the transplant waiting list, you can choose to find a living donor. During a living-donor liver transplant, the surgeon takes a small part of the donor\u2019s healthy liver and transplants it into the recipient. This process is possible because of the liver\u2019s unique ability to regenerate, or regrow.   "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What\u2019s the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B, and C?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/11\/whats-the-difference-between-hepatitis-a-b-and-c\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]