How does HAV differ from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)?
• HAV, HBV, and HCV are three different viruses that attack and injure the liver and cause similar symptoms in people with acute (recently acquired) disease. • HAV is spread by getting HAV-infected fecal matter into a persons mouth who has never had hepatitis A (e.g., an HAV-infected person who doesnt wash his or her hands after using the bathroom and then handles food for public consumption or an infected person who has sex with a person who has never had hepatitis A). HBV and HCV are spread when an infected persons blood or blood-contaminated body fluids enter another persons bloodstream. • HBV and HCV infections can cause lifelong (chronic) liver problems. HAV does not. • There are vaccines that will protect people from HAV infection and HBV infection. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect people from HCV infection. • There are medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of chronic HBV and HCV infections. • If a person has had one type o
