According to the World Health Organisation, there are five types of Hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D and E.

Typically, one can be infected with A and E through contaminated water and food, and lack of personal hygiene. They cause swelling and inflammation of liver.

However, these two types are not chronic, and in most cases patients can recover completely from them.

Patients who are suffering from hepatitis A, are susceptible to D as well, which also affects the liver and is caused via blood.

Hepatitis B and C also cause the liver to swell, and can do more lasting damage to it.

These types are transmitted via blood, semen or body fluid, which means non-sterilised needles and unprotected sex among others, and can sometimes lead to cancer. —S.R.