Final answer:
The five main types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis D (HDV), and Hepatitis E (HEV). Each has its own unique characteristics, source of transmission, risks, and vaccine availability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The five main types of viral hepatitis are:
- Hepatitis A (HAV): Source: fecal-oral route, close personal contact, or exposure to contaminated water or food. Risks: mild or asymptomatic infection, fulminant hepatitis (rare but has a high fatality rate of 70-80%). Vaccine: available and recommended.
- Hepatitis B (HBV): Source: exposure to infectious blood or body fluids. Risks: chronic infection, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Vaccine: available and recommended.
- Hepatitis C (HCV): Source: parenteral contact with infected blood. Risks: chronic infection. Vaccine: no vaccine available.
- Hepatitis D (HDV): Source: can only propagate in the presence of HBV. Risks: chronic infection. Vaccine: prevention through HBV vaccination.
- Hepatitis E (HEV): Source: fecal-oral route through food or water contamination. Risks: usually self-limiting infection, not chronic. Vaccine: available in some countries.