Which liver diseases are contagious?

   Infectious liver diseases primarily refer to viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The transmission routes of these three types of hepatitis differ.

   1. Hepatitis A

   Hepatitis A is an acute disease, with main symptoms including chills, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, hepatomegaly, and abnormal liver function. Clinically, it mainly presents as acute icteric or non-icteric hepatitis, although acute cholestatic hepatitis may also occur; severe hepatitis is relatively rare. Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is easily contracted by the general population.

   2. Hepatitis B

   Hepatitis B is a contagious disease transmitted mainly through vertical mother-to-child transmission, blood, bodily fluids, and sexual contact. Clinically, it typically manifests as a chronic infection, which in severe cases can progress to complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Treatment focuses on slowing disease progression and controlling viral replication.

   3. Hepatitis C

   Hepatitis C is a contagious disease primarily transmitted through blood, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual contact. Most individuals infected with hepatitis C remain asymptomatic during the early and initial chronic stages, exhibiting nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal distension, aversion to oily foods, and jaundice. Hepatitis C develops insidiously and has a high rate of chronicity and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

   In addition, hepatitis D and hepatitis E are also infectious liver diseases. Patients should undergo medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive systematic, standardized treatment under a physician's guidance.