Acute hepatitis is most commonly caused by Hepatitis A,B,C and E although it can also be caused by other non-liver specific viruses.
Common causes of chronic hepatitis are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis B: This is the commonest cause of chronic viral hepatitis in Singapore. It is transmitted by contact with infected blood. The common modes being transmission from mother to child during childbirth, having unprotected sex from partners infected with Hepatitis B, transfusion of infected blood products and the use of infected needles.
Hepatitis C: This virus is most commonly transmitted by infected needles and by transfusion of infected blood products. Sexual transmission is less common.
