Hepatitis means "inflammation of the liver"

Hepatitis B is one type of viral hepatitis that causes serious liver disease. There are 5 different types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E1. The most-common types of viral hepatitis in the U.S. are:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C

Overview of hepatitis A, B, C

— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's fact sheets for hepatitis A, B, and C.
Accessed online October 12, 2007.

Hepatitis A Virus Facts

  • 32,000 new cases of HAV infection were estimated in 2006
  • 33 percent of persons infected with reported HAV cases were hospitalized in 2006
  • Approximately 5 cases of HAV resulted in death in 2006

Hepatitis B Virus Facts

  • 1.3 million Americans suffer from chronic HBV
  • 46,000 new HBV infections were estimated in 2006
  • Up to 4,000 deaths result from HBV infection each year
  • More than $1 billion is spent each year on hepatitis B-related hospitalizations
  • Up to 15 percent of persons living with HIV are also infected with HBV

Hepatitis C Virus Facts

  • An estimated 4 million Americans have been infected with the hepatitis C virus
  • Each year, 1 to 4 percent of people with HCV-related cirrhosis develop liver cancer
  • 19,000 Americans were newly infected in 2006
  • 3.2 million Americans have chronic HCV—three times the number of individuals with HIV
  • Up to 30 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS are also infected with HCV