Final answer:
Hepatitis A causes acute illness and is generally short-lived, while vaccinations provide immunity against it. Chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis C, persists longer and requires confirmatory RNA testing for diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that primarily causes acute illness, which means that it is generally short-lived and typically resolves on its own within weeks to months. By contrast, chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis C, can persist in the body for years, often with low levels of symptoms, resulting in long-term health issues. Vaccination provides immunity to Hepatitis A, with the Hepatitis A vaccine recommended for children, travelers to certain countries, individuals with liver diseases, amongst others. The vaccine is effective in preventing acute hepatitis A infections and providing long-term immunity.
Confirmatory tests are needed to definitively diagnose hepatitis infections. In the case of hepatitis C, definitive diagnosis is obtained by testing for the presence of viral RNA in the blood. This ensures that instances of a false positive from an antibody-based test, which could be due to an insufficient immune response, are mitigated.