Hepatitis can be caused by different factors, including viruses and toxins. Acute hepatitis is the first stage of the illness.
Chronic hepatitis can last for many years, and can result in permanent liver damage.
Hepatitis B and C can become chronic. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is also called infectious hepatitis . It is the most common type of hepatitis, and is caused by a virus called the hepatitis A virus, or HAV . The symptoms of hepatitis A usually develop quickly, within 10 to 50 days. People with hepatitis A can infect others during the first 10 days of their illness.