Hepatitis is a contagious disease caused by viruses or other conditions that attack the liver causing inflammation and sometimes permanent damage to the liver. Hepatitis A is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. Although patients can become quite ill with Hepatitis A, this disease is rarely life threatening and never becomes chronic. Hepatitis B is one of the most serious types of hepatitis. Spread through infected blood, needles and sexual contact, this disease is a major health problem. Hepatitis B can become chronic and may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Treatments are available for chronic Hepatitis B. There is a vaccine that can prevent this disease. Hepatitis C is also transmitted through infected blood and needles, but rarely is spread through sexual contact. It frequently becomes chronic and may slowly destroy the liver. Treatment is available that can eliminate the virus in some individuals. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.