Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, causes injury to liver cells. With significant liver damage cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death may occur.

The causes of hepatitis are either VIRAL (germs transmitted from person-to person and are named as letters of the alphabet) or NON-VIRAL (caused by drugs, alcohol, toxins, or other medical conditions and are not transmitted between persons).

The most common types of VIRAL HEPATITIS are Hepatitis A, B and C.

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Symptoms

Some individuals experience "flu-like" symptoms; others have no recognizable symptoms. Symptoms of Hepatitis A, B and C are similar and may include any of the following:

Testing

Viral hepatitis can infect anyone. You do not need to be in a high risk group to contract virap hepatitis. The best protection is prevention!

Other Resources

Centers for Disease Control (888) 443-7232
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/hepatitis.htm

American Liver Foundation (800) 223-0179 - www.liverfoundation.org

Hepatitis B Coalition (651) 647-9009 - www.immunize.org

Hepatitis B Foundation (215) 489-4900 - www.hepb.org

Hepatitis Foundation International (800) 891-0707 - www.hepfi.org

For More Information

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902
Disease Control Office  240-777-1755
Immunization Program  240-777-1050

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