Hepatitis is a disease caused by damage to the liver causing inflammation which may be short or long lasting (Balistreri). There are five forms of viral hepatitis called hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. Each form of hepatitis is very unique and it is very important to understand the causes and effects of each. Hepatitis A is the first viral form of hepatitis that is common in poverty-stricken countries due to poor sanitary conditions (Balistreri). Hepatitis A is most commonly spread through drinking water and food when infected through fecal matter. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted when a person did not wash their hands after using the toilet, in which case they had fecal matter on them and then came into contact with another person who infected them . Most people may not know they are infected with Hepatitis A because symptoms may not be immediate. People who have symptoms may experience them for a week or several months. Older people with hepatitis tend to have additional and longer-lasting symptoms than younger people. Symptoms of hepatitis include: "jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and dark urine." These symptoms range from moderate to very severe (viral hepatitis). When you start experiencing such symptoms, it is very important to schedule a blood test with a doctor to get a diagnosis. This blood test will identify hepatitis A antibodies or be negative. Once diagnosed, doctors will be able to help treat and remove the virus from your system. Hepatitis A can be treated/prevented with a protein called gamma...... middle of paper...... in the United States. There is no medicine or vaccine against this disease. Doctors recommend bed rest and plenty of fluids and avoid anything that could damage the liver, including over-the-counter prescriptions. Since no vaccine is available, it is important to avoid dirty water, the most common way to transmit hepatitis E. Since there are many types of hepatitis virus, it is very important to be educated and well aware of not only this disease, but all diseases. Many large companies such as NIAID are researching hepatitis and ways to make the world safer. There is still much to learn about hepatitis, which is why it is very important to stay informed. Hepatitis is preventable everywhere if we act and live by a few basic principles. We would be able to slow the rate of transmission and reduce the number of infected individuals..