More common than once realised, hepatitis C is the major cause of all cases of hepatitis resulting from blood transfusion and intravenous drug use. It may also be transmitted sexually.
The virus for hepatitis B is found in semen, blood and saliva, and is usually spread sexually, by blood transfusions and contaminated needles.
Infectious hepatitis is common and usually mild, and is transmitted in contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis can be a simple self-limiting condition with complete recovery. It can also be life-threatening or result in a chronic, life-long disease.