RNA hepatitis viruses !
- Viruses
RNA viruses that attack the liver: A and E through water and food; C and D through blood. Hepatitis B, a DNA virus, completes the list.
Updated 2026-11-01
What they are
These viruses come from different families but share a liking for the liver. The faecal-oral ones (A and E) cause acute hepatitis that does not become chronic in healthy people; the parenteral ones (C and D) tend to chronic infection, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus and sits with the DNA viruses.
What they share
- Hepatocyte tropism; damage comes mostly from the immune response
- A and E: faecal-oral, non-enveloped, not chronic in immunocompetent people
- C and D: blood-borne, enveloped, risk of chronic infection, cirrhosis and cancer
- Hepatitis D only infects people who carry hepatitis B
Microorganisms in this group
- Hepatitis A virusA virus spread through water or food contaminated with stool. It causes acute hepatitis that almost always clears on its own and never becomes chronic.Exam priority: high
- Hepatitis C virusA blood-borne virus. It often goes unnoticed for years while it damages the liver, but today oral antivirals cure it.Exam priority: medium
- Hepatitis D virusAn incomplete virus that only infects people who have hepatitis B. It causes the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis.Exam priority: medium
- Hepatitis E virusA virus spread through contaminated water or undercooked meat. It usually clears on its own, but in pregnancy it can cause severe liver failure.Exam priority: medium
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which RNA hepatitis viruses spread by the faecal-oral route?
Hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses.
Which hepatitis virus needs hepatitis B to replicate?
Hepatitis D (delta) virus, which uses the hepatitis B surface antigen as its envelope.
Which RNA hepatitis virus most often becomes chronic?
Hepatitis C virus: most infected people develop chronic infection.
Educational content on microorganisms; not a treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Hepatitis A (World Health Organization (WHO), 2025); Hepatitis C (World Health Organization (WHO), 2025); Hepatitis D (World Health Organization (WHO), 2025); Hepatitis E (World Health Organization (WHO), 2025).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.