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For viral hepatitis, the incubation period (the time it takes for a person to become infected after being exposed) varies depending on which hepatitis virus causes the disease: * For hepatitis A, the incubation period is 2 to 6 weeks. * For hepatitis B, the incubation period is between 4 and 20 weeks. * For hepatitis C, it's estimated that the incubation period is 2 to 26 weeks. Hepatitis A is usually active for a short period of time and once a person recovers, he or she can no longer pass the virus to other people. It's practically unheard for people to become chronic carriers of hepatitis A. Almost all previously healthy persons who develop hepatitis A will completely recover from their illness in a few weeks or months without long-term complications. With hepatitis B, 85% to 90% of patients recover from their illness completely within 6 months, without long-term complications. However, 75% to 85% of those who are infected with hepatitis C do notrecover completely and are more likely to continue to have a long-term infection. People with hepatitis B (the percentage who don't recover completely) or hepatitis C who continue to be infected can go on to develop chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (the chronic degeneration and disruption of the structure of the liver). Some people with hepatitis B or C may also become lifelong carriers of these viruses and can spread them to other people.

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14y ago

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