Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The most common cause is a virus, which is why people often call it liver hepatitis or hepatitis disease. There are five main types of viral hepatitis, named A, B, C, D and E. Some, like hepatitis A and E, cause a short-term illness and settle on their own. Others, like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can become long-term (chronic) and slowly damage the liver, leading to cirrhosis and even liver cancer if untreated. The good news is that modern hepatitis treatment is highly effective: hepatitis C can now be cured in most people, and hepatitis B can be well controlled.
Is Hepatitis Caused by a Virus or Bacteria?
A common question is whether hepatitis is caused by bacteria or a virus. The main cause of hepatitis is a virus (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E). It is not usually caused by bacteria. Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol, certain medicines, and autoimmune conditions, but viral hepatitis is by far the most common form worldwide.
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Each type of hepatitis is spread differently and treated differently. The table below is a simple guide to hepatitis causes, symptoms and treatment by type.
| Type | How It Spreads | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Contaminated food or water (also called infectious or infective hepatitis) | Usually settles on its own; a vaccine prevents it |
| Hepatitis B | Blood, body fluids, mother to baby | Antiviral medicines control it; a vaccine prevents it |
| Hepatitis C | Blood (needles, transfusions) | Curable in most people with a short course of tablets |
| Hepatitis D | Only occurs with hepatitis B | Managed alongside hepatitis B |
| Hepatitis E | Contaminated water | Usually settles on its own; important to watch in pregnancy |
Many people with hepatitis, especially chronic hepatitis B or C, have no symptoms for years. When they appear, the common symptoms of hepatitis and liver hepatitis symptoms are:
Because chronic hepatitis is often silent, many people are diagnosed only through a blood test. Anyone at risk should be tested even without symptoms. See our guide on hepatitis B vs hepatitis C .
Hepatitis B is one of the most important liver infections in India. The hepatitis B virus can stay in the body for life and slowly damage the liver, so hepatitis B disease needs expert, long-term management.
The good news is that hepatitis B treatment is very effective: modern antiviral medicines (such as tenofovir and entecavir) control the virus, protect the liver, and greatly reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer over time.
For patients searching for hepatitis B treatment in Delhi, the key is regular monitoring and the right medicine for your situation, managed by an experienced team.
Good hepatitis B self-care supports your treatment and protects your liver:
Hepatitis C has been transformed by modern medicine. With direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets, hepatitis C can be cured in more than 95 percent of people , usually with a short course of around 8 to 12 weeks and few side effects.
For patients seeking hepatitis C treatment in Delhi, this means a real cure is now the expected outcome for most people. Our team confirms the diagnosis, checks the liver for any existing damage, and prescribes the right DAA course with monitoring to confirm the cure.
Hepatitis A (and hepatitis E) usually causes a short-term illness that settles on its own with rest, fluids and supportive care. There is no specific antiviral needed for most cases.
The key for hepatitis A treatment is supportive care and watching for the rare severe case, while a safe and effective vaccine prevents it altogether.
This is where a liver surgeon becomes important. Long-standing hepatitis B and hepatitis C are leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. While the hepatitis virus itself is treated with medicines, the complications may need surgery.
Hepatitis B liver cancer treatment can involve liver cancer surgery or, for advanced disease, a liver transplant .
This is why the strongest hepatitis care brings together medical treatment and surgical expertise under one roof, so that if the liver is ever affected, nothing is missed.
Accurate testing guides hepatitis treatment and tracks the liver over time. Our centre uses:
When looking for the best hospital for hepatitis B in Delhi, the best doctor in Delhi for hepatitis B, or a doctor for hepatitis B in Delhi, the things that matter most are:
On the medical side, the hepatology team manages antiviral treatment and monitoring. On the surgical side, Dr. Ashish George is the surgeon in Delhi for hepatitis-related liver complications, including liver cancer and transplant.
Together they provide complete hepatitis liver treatment at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi. This is part of our wider liver and hepatology programme . For patients searching for the best hospital for hepatitis B treatment in Delhi, this combination is what sets a complete liver centre apart.
Patients who cannot travel, or who want a specialist opinion first, can have their hepatitis reports and viral load results reviewed in an online consultation, with a clear treatment plan before any visit. Reports can be reviewed remotely for patients outside Delhi and abroad.
Hepatitis is common, but it is very treatable: hepatitis C can be cured in most people, and hepatitis B can be well controlled to protect the liver. The key is early testing, the right treatment, and long-term monitoring at a complete liver centre. If you have hepatitis B or C, abnormal liver tests, or a positive hepatitis test, Book a consultation with Dr. Ashish George at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh..
Hepatitis is mainly caused by a virus (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E), not bacteria. It can also be caused by alcohol, some medicines and autoimmune conditions, but viral hepatitis is the most common form.
Yes. With modern direct-acting antiviral tablets, hepatitis C is cured in more than 95 percent of people, usually with a short course of around 8 to 12 weeks. A blood test after treatment confirms the cure.
Hepatitis B is not usually cured, but it is very effectively controlled with antiviral medicines that protect the liver from cirrhosis and cancer. Treatment is often long-term, with regular monitoring, and it works well.
Many people have no symptoms, especially with chronic hepatitis B or C. When symptoms appear, they include tiredness, jaundice (yellow eyes or skin), dark urine, nausea, and upper abdominal discomfort. Testing is the only way to be sure.
Hepatitis B needs regular, often lifelong monitoring with blood tests, viral load and scans, including liver cancer surveillance. Your specialist sets the schedule based on your situation and whether you are on treatment.
Not always immediately. Some people with hepatitis B are monitored rather than treated straight away, while others need antiviral medicine. The decision depends on the virus level, liver tests and signs of liver damage, which is why specialist assessment matters.
Long-standing hepatitis B and C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer if untreated. This is why treatment, monitoring and cancer surveillance are so important, and why a centre that also offers liver cancer surgery and transplant provides complete care.
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