Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can cause a serious form of hepatitis and develop into a chronic disease (lasting more than six months). An estimated 1.2 million Americans are chronically infected with HBV. If left undiagnosed and untreated, HBV infection can develop into cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, so it is important to ask your provider and know your status.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) develops into a chronic infection in up to 85% of the 150,000 newly infected persons each year. An estimated 3.5 million Americans are chronically infected with HCV. Like hepatitis B, if left untreated, HCV can develop into cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even liver failure. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. It is important to ask your provider and know your status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that if you were born between 1945 and 1965 that you should be tested for hepatitis C.

There are other causes of inflammation of the liver that are not viral. This can include fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. It is important to take care of your liver and to discuss with your provider.