Difference between Hepatitis A, B and C

Viral hepatitis is commonly called jaundice. There are five varieties of hepatitis are known: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E. The symptoms in early phase include: fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastric discomfort, pains in muscles and joints. In early stage the liver is enlarged and congested. In later stage the liver becomes smaller, yellowish or greenish.

Hepatitis A

• Name of virus: HAV
• Nucleic acid present in virus: RNA
• Mode of spread: Faecal, oral
• Incubation period in Days: 15-45
• Chronic hepatitis: none
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (Liver cancer): No
• Year of Identification: 1973

Hepatitis B

• Name of virus: HBV
• Nucleic acid present in virus: DNA
• Mode of spread: Parenteral; close personal contact become chronic
• Incubation period in Days: 30-180
• Chronic hepatitis: Yes about 40-60%
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (Liver cancer): Yes
• Year of Identification: 1966

Hepatitis C

• Name of virus: HCV (also called non A, non B (NANB) hepatitis virus
• Nucleic acid present in virus: RNA
• Mode of spread: Parenteral; close personal contact
• Incubation period in Days: 20-90
• Chronic hepatitis: Yes about 40-60%
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (Liver cancer): yes
• Year of Identification: 1989

*Parenteral: Taken into the body in a manner other than through digestive tract.