How Different Types of Hepatitis Spread

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver and can be caused by viral infections. However, do you know that different types of hepatitis can be transmitted in different ways? Understanding how the virus spreads is important for taking the right preventive measures and reducing stigma toward people living with hepatitis.

There are five main types of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. In an online interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia, medical doctor and health educator dr. Adam Prabata explained that hepatitis A and E are generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.

“The A and E usually transmitted through contaminated food or water. So the good sanitation, clean water, food hygiene is very important for those hepatitis,” Adam said.

Meanwhile, hepatitis B and C have different transmission routes. Both are associated with exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby, particularly during childbirth.

“The most of transmitted cases usually come from infected mother. The mother has hepatitis B to her baby, usually during childbirth. Other than that, usually it comes from unsafe injection or contaminated needle, like if people are using some drugs,” he said.

Adam added that hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through infected blood. People exposed to shared needles, as well as those undergoing unsafe medical procedures, may face a higher risk of infection.

However, misconceptions remain that hepatitis can be transmitted through everyday social interaction with people living with the disease.

“But the answer is no, usually it's not transmitted through casual social contact. It usually comes from blood or body fluid,” Adam said.

Understanding how hepatitis is transmitted can help people take appropriate preventive measures for each type of viral hepatitis. It can also help dispel misconceptions and reduce stigma toward people living with hepatitis.