A condition that may cause loss of consciousness and coma. It is usually the result of advanced liver disease. Also called hepatic coma.

An irritation of the liver that sometimes causes permanent damage. Hepatitis may be caused by viruses, medicines, or toxins.

A virus most often spread through unclean food and water.

A virus commonly spread through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, sharing needles with infected people, or from mother to newborn at birth. Hepatitis B is more common and much more easily spread than the AIDS virus… 

A vaccination that gives short-term protection against hepatitis B.

A vaccination to prevent hepatitis B. The vaccine leads the body to make its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.

A virus spread by blood transfusion (prior to July 1992) and possibly by sexual intercourse or sharing needles with infected people. Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C used to be… 

A virus that occurs mostly in people who share needles with infected people. Only people who have hepatitis B can get hepatitis D.

A virus spread mostly through unclean water. This type of hepatitis is common in developing countries. It has not occurred in the United States.

A doctor who specializes in liver diseases.