The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says "Hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A has been in the news with some frequency as significant outbreaks have been reported in the Detroit and San Diego areas and Europe is experiencing a big outbreak.

Senior Associate with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Amesh Adalja, MD joined me to answer some questions about hepatitis A.