GI Disease

Hepatitis A is an acute viral hepatitis infected through eating or drinking contaminated food and water.

Chronic hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be acute or chronic. In Hong Kong population, about 8-10% of people are infected with the hepatitis B virus. Chronic hepatitis B is the common cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis C is the inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. In Western countries, hepatitis C is a common cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, but it is not common in Asia. According to a local survey, about 0.5% of the Hong Kong population is infected with hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis E is an acute viral infection of the liver. Routes of infection include eating or drinking contaminated food and water. Direct person to person contact is a relatively rare transmission route.