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Risk Factors for Viral Hepatitis

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Risk Factors for Viral Hepatitis

A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. Hepatitis spreads from exposure to contaminated:

  • Body fluids:
    • Stool
    • Blood
    • Semen
    • Vaginal fluid
    • Saliva
  • Food
  • Water
  • Animals
  • Items

Things that raise the risk of hepatitis are:

  • Working in daycare, healthcare, or public safety
  • Not washing hands well—especially after:
    • Changing a diaper or
    • Using the bathroom
  • Close contact with someone who has or carries hepatitis
  • Certain sexual behaviors, such as:
    • Men who have sex with men
    • Anal sex, or oral to anal sex
    • Having many sex partners
    • Having sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • People who use IV drugs or share needles
  • Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B, C, or E
  • Exposure to items that are not correctly sterilized such as:
    • Medical equipment
    • Tattoo or body piercing tools
  • Being in countries with:
    • Poor sanitation
    • Raw sewage, or
    • Untreated water

Having certain health conditions or procedures such as:

  • Getting blood transfusions, blood products, or organ transplants—mainly before 1992
  • Dialysis to treat kidney disease
  • Ongoing higher than normal liver function tests
  • A weak immune system—from a disease or treatment
  • An STI or HIV

References

  • Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-a-virus-hav-infection. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Acute hepatitis C infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-hepatitis-c-infection. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-hepatitis-b-virus-hbv-infection. Accessed April 18, 2019.
  • Chronic hepatitis C infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-hepatitis-c-infection. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Hepatitis C—treatment of genotype 1. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/hepatitis-c-treatment-of-genotype-1. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Hepatitis C—treatment of genotypes 2-6. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/hepatitis-c-treatment-of-genotypes-2-6. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-d-virus-hdv-infection. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hepatitis-e-virus-hev-infection Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Overview of acute viral hepatitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/hepatitis/overview-of-acute-viral-hepatitis. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Overview of chronic hepatitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/hepatitis/overview-of-chronic-hepatitis. Accessed May 2, 2022.
  • Thuener J. Hepatitis A and B infections. Prim Care. 2017;44(4):621-629.

Contributors

  • David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2022-02-02

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.