Whatever the cause, hepatitis results in inflammation of the liver.

Alcohol abuse damages liver cells. Medicines can cause reactions that inflame the liver. Acetaminophen taken in high doses can severely damage the liver. A weak immune system, such as is found in people with AIDS, can put you at higher risk for hepatitis, as well as many other infections.

But some acute forms can develop into chronic forms.

Researchers have identified A, B, C, D, and E viruses that cause hepatitis. Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and B, but not for the C, D, and E forms.

But not everyone has symptoms.

Often called infectious hepatitis, both hepatitis A and hepatitis E can easily be spread from one person to another. Infectious hepatitis spreads when a person unknowingly picks up the virus from objects, food, or water contaminated with stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A also can be spread from close personal contact with an infected person. This might be from taking care of an infected person or through sex.

Hepatitis types B, C, and D can exist for years without symptoms. Many people with these types of hepatitis don't have symptoms and don't know they are infected. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to show up. Symptoms of hepatitis can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, belly (abdominal) pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice.

Vaccines can help prevent hepatitis A and B. International travelers can benefit from the hepatitis A vaccine before going abroad.

Elevated liver enzymes can be an indication of an acute or chronic hepatitis infection, but other factors, such as alcohol use or certain medicines, can also cause the liver enzymes to go up. The healthcare provider will use health history, physical exams, lab tests, X-rays, and even a liver biopsy to confirm a viral hepatitis diagnosis. Lab tests can check for which specific virus is causing your hepatitis.