Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. It is diagnosed through patient history, exams, liver function tests and serologic tests. Symptoms vary between an icteric phase with enlarged liver and tender abdomen, and a post-icteric phase. Differential diagnoses include infectious mononucleosis, drug-induced hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and alcohol hepatitis. Complications include chronic hepatitis leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer, and fulminant hepatitis with hepatic failure. Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are addressed in regards to transmission routes, serology, prevention and management.