Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Although not usually as serious as other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A causes inflammation that affects your liver's ability to function.

You're most likely to contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who's already infected. Even people who are infected with HAV and don’t show signs of infection may also transmit the virus. Some people who are infected never develop signs and symptoms, while others may feel as if they have a severe flu. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A doesn't develop into chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, both potentially fatal conditions.

Practicing good hygiene, including washing your hands often, is one of the best ways to protect against hepatitis A. Vaccines are currently available, but are generally reserved for people who are most at risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, the infection becomes chronic, leading to liver failure, liver cancer or even cirrhosis. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood and body fluids of someone who is infected. 

People who use intravenous (IV) drugs and who share needles, have unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner, or were born in or travel to parts of the world where hepatitis B is widespread are at the greatest risk of infection. While most  infected adults recover fully from hepatitis B, even if their signs and symptoms are severe, infants and children are much more likely to develop a chronic infection.

Although no cure exists for hepatitis B, there is a vaccine available that may prevent the disease; however, if you are already infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent HBV from spreading to others. In addition, there are some FDA-approved medications that may assist in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. 

Interferon
Interferons are produced naturally by your body to protect against invasive organisms such as viruses. There are currently several interferons available in the US marketplace for treatment of hepatitis B.  Giving additional interferon that has been manufactured in a laboratory may stimulate your body's immune response to HBV and help prevent the virus from replicating in your cells. Not everyone is a candidate for treatment with interferon. In a few cases, interferon eliminates the virus completely, although the infection can later return.  Interferon has a number of side effects that are usually flu-like in nature and include:  fatigue, muscle pains, body aches, headaches, fever and nausea. Two interferon medications are available, interferon alfa (Intron-A^®) and peginterferon alfa (Pegasys^®). Intron-A^® is administered by injection several times a week. Pegasys^® is given by injection once a week.

Epivir^® (lamivudine), Glaxo-SmithKline
Lamivudine, an anti-viral medication that prevents the virus from replicating in the cells, may also be given in combination with interferon.

Hepsera^® (adefovir dipivoxil), Gilead Sciences Inc.
This drug, taken by pill orally once daily, also helps prevent HBV from replicating in your cells. An added benefit is that it's effective in people who are resistant to lamivudine. Like lamivudine, side effects during treatment usually are minimal, but symptoms may worsen when the medication is stopped.

Baraclude^® (entecavir), Bristol-Myers Squibb
This antiviral medication, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2005, is taken once a day orally in pill form. Comparatives studies have indicated added benefit of entecavir when compared to lamivudine.

Hepatitis C

An estimated 3 percent of the world's people carry what is considered to be the most serious hepatitis virus, the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The majority of people infected with the HCV have no symptoms at all which is why most people don't know they have the disease until some sort of liver damage is detected during routine medical tests. Hepatitis C is generally considered to be among the most serious of these viruses.

Over time, hepatitis C infection can lead to liver cancer, liver failure or irreversible and potentially fatal scarring of the liver.  The hepatitis C virus primary method of transmission is contaminated blood either through sharing of needles among IV drug users or through blood transfusions.

To date there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Being diagnosed with hepatitis C doesn’t necessarily mean that you will need treatment. The goal of therapy is to clear the virus from your bloodstream and the widely accepted preference for treatment involves a combination of weekly injections of pegylated interferon (Peg-Intron^® or Pegasys^®) in combination with twice daily oral ribavirin (Copegus®, Rebetol^® or Ribasphere^®).