Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can result from viral infections, alcohol use, toxins, medications, or autoimmune disorders. The most common infectious forms are hepatitis A, B, and C, each caused by different viruses and transmitted through contaminated food or water (hepatitis A), blood and bodily fluids (hepatitis B), or primarily blood exposure (hepatitis C). Symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and joint discomfort, though some individuals may have no symptoms, especially in early stages. Hepatitis can be acute and short-term or become chronic, potentially leading to liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer over time. Vaccination is available for hepatitis A and B and plays an important role in prevention.