Is hepatitis contagious?
Disease description:
My husband is 45 years old. One month ago, he went to the hospital for a medical checkup due to feeling unwell, and was diagnosed with hepatitis. I heard from others that hepatitis is contagious. May I ask, is hepatitis contagious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Whether hepatitis is contagious mainly depends on the type of hepatitis. Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease caused by various factors and can be broadly categorized into two types: viral hepatitis and non-viral hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis is contagious and mainly includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, which spread through different transmission routes. Hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted through the digestive tract, while hepatitis B, C, and D are mainly transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and mother-to-child vertical transmission. Preventive measures include vaccination, avoiding unclean food and water, using safe blood products, practicing safe sex, and maintaining personal hygiene.
Non-viral hepatitis, such as alcoholic and drug-induced hepatitis, is not contagious. These types of hepatitis may be caused by medications, alcohol consumption, or autoimmune factors, and are unrelated to pathogen infections.
When hepatitis is diagnosed, it is important to first determine the specific type in order to implement appropriate preventive and treatment measures. Patients suspected or confirmed to have viral hepatitis should receive prompt isolation and treatment to prevent transmission to others.
