Updated: Apr. 15, 2026
Take Control of Your Health: Learn About Hepatitis Prevention and Care in South Carolina.
What is Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
For a complete list of risks, refer to the CDC website.
Prevention
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are vaccine-preventable. If you suspect a person has been exposed, testing and treatment can prevent complications and interrupt further transmission. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, including:
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug equipment.
- Practicing poor or unsanitary procedures in health care facilities.
- Engaging in sexual activity with a person who is infected with HCV.
- Getting unregulated tattoos or body piercings.
- Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a donor with HCV infection.
Testing and Treatment
A health care provider will do a physical examination and ask about your symptoms. They may do blood tests to check for signs of specific viruses. They may also do liver function tests.
Treatment varies depending on factors like the type of virus you have and your symptoms. There are treatments to manage viral hepatitis symptoms. A health care provider may prescribe an antiviral medication if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Treatments that manage symptoms include:
- IV fluids
- IV nutrition
- Pain medication
Hepatitis C is the only viral hepatitis for which there’s a cure.
