Infographic on hepatitis treatments. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection, but also caused by alcohol consumption or autoimmune reactions. There are five different types (A-E), with vaccination possible for A and B. Hepatitis B and C can inhibit cells' interferon signalling to evade the body's antiviral responses, but injection of synthetic interferons can treat the hepatitis in these cases. Several antiviral drugs have also been developed to treat hepatitis, such as sofosbuvir, which can clear hepatitis with fewer side effects. However, these drugs are expensive.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month in the U.S. This month’s edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN looks at some of the basics of hepatitis and its different types, as well as how the drugs used to treat the disease have changed over the years. Click through to download the full graphic on the C&EN site.

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