Viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, is caused by six viruses and is known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G. The main features of these infections in the elderly are highlighted below-

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) holds a global distribution and is linked to the hygienic and sanitary statuses of the region. 

Hepatitis B also is a health problem worldwide and presents as the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Further, it is highly infectious. Chronic hepatitis B habitually befalls people who have been infected at an early age. 

Hepatitis C presents as the most frequent cause of acute hepatitis in the elderly. The largest of the elderly with chronic hepatitis C virus infection tend to acquired the disease earlier in life and will manifest accompanying complications of liver disease particularly cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 

Nearly 5% of Hepatitis B Virus carriers are anti-hepatitis D Virus positive globally. 

Hepatitis G frequently occurs as a co-infection with other viruses, like hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Source: Nagaratnam N, Nagaratnam K, Cheuk G. Viral Hepatitis in the Elderly. In: Geriatric Diseases. Springer, Cham. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32700-6_23-1