What are the different types of hepatitis?

Hepatitis A: Acute, spreads through contaminated food/water, vaccine available. Hepatitis B: Can be acute or chronic, spreads through blood/sex, vaccine available. Hepatitis C: Usually chronic, spreads through blood, curable with antivirals. Hepatitis D: Only infects those with Hepatitis B. Hepatitis E: Acute, waterborne, usually self-limiting.

Can hepatitis be cured?

Depends on type. Hepatitis A and E: No specific treatment needed; body clears infection. Hepatitis B: No cure but manageable with antivirals; some cases resolve spontaneously. Hepatitis C: CURABLE with 8-12 weeks of direct-acting antiviral pills (cure rate >95%). Early detection through screening is key.

Who should get tested for hepatitis?

CDC recommends: All adults get tested for Hepatitis C at least once. Hepatitis B screening for those born in high-prevalence countries, people with HIV, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, pregnant women, and those with elevated liver enzymes or risk factors.

How do I know if I have hepatitis?

Many people have no symptoms, especially early on. When symptoms occur: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stool, joint pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes). Chronic hepatitis can be asymptomatic for years while causing liver damage. Screening is essential.

Can I get vaccinated against hepatitis?

Hepatitis A vaccine: 2-dose series, recommended for all children and at-risk adults. Hepatitis B vaccine: 2-3 dose series, recommended for all children and unvaccinated adults. Combined Hepatitis A+B vaccine available. No vaccines exist for Hepatitis C, D, or E (Hepatitis E vaccine available in China only).

How is hepatitis transmitted?

Hepatitis A & E: Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water). Hepatitis B: Blood, semen, vaginal fluids (sex, needles, mother-to-child). Hepatitis C: Primarily blood-to-blood (sharing needles, contaminated medical equipment, rarely sexual). Hepatitis D: Same as B (requires Hepatitis B co-infection).

Alaska

Hepatitis in Alaska

4 Active in Alaska

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E). It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), potentially leading to liver cirrhosis, cancer, or failure.

4 active Hepatitis reports in Alaska — and this is changing daily.

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What is Hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis affects hundreds of millions worldwide. Hepatitis A and E spread through contaminated food/water (vaccine available for A). Hepatitis B and C spread through blood/bodily fluids; B has a vaccine, C is curable with antivirals. Chronic hepatitis B and C can silently damage the liver for decades before symptoms appear, making screening crucial.

Symptoms

Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite and nausea
Abdominal pain (right upper quadrant)
Dark urine
Clay-colored stool
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Joint pain
Fever (in acute cases)

Transmission

Varies by type. A & E: contaminated food/water. B: blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child. C: blood-to-blood (needles). D: requires HepB co-infection

Contagious Period: Varies by type; Hepatitis A: 2 weeks before through 1 week after jaundice appears; Hepatitis B & C: while virus is detectable in blood

Prevention

Hepatitis A and B vaccines
Safe food and water practices (especially when traveling)
Never share needles, razors, or toothbrushes
Practice safe sex (condoms)
Screen blood products
Universal precautions in healthcare settings
Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns
Screening and treatment programs

Alaska Health Resources

Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance

We're Monitoring Alaska

Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Hepatitis activity across Alaska. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.

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Alaska Health Department

For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Alaska, visit your state health department's website.

→ Alaska Department of Health → CDC Hepatitis Information → CDC Health Topics

Understanding Hepatitis: Key Questions

Whether you live in Alaska or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.

When to Seek Care

Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.

Emergency symptoms: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

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Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-18

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hepatitis answered by our epidemiology team

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