The hepatitis A virus is most commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact or by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces. Prevention relies on good hygiene and vaccination.

Viral liver infections can be very severe; hepatitis B and D are transmitted through sexual contact, blood, and from mother to fetus. Vaccination and screening are the cornerstones of prevention.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection primarily transmitted through blood. Screening for the disease is crucial to ensuring that infected individuals receive the treatments that can now lead to a cure.

Hepatitis E is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, primarily through the consumption of undercooked pork in European countries. It mainly affects the liver.