Overview of Viral Hepatitis VIDEO Etiology of Acute Viral Hepatitis At least 5 specific viruses appear to be responsible (see table Characteristics of Hepatitis Viruses) for acute viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A (HAV) Hepatitis B (HBV) Hepatitis C (HCV) Hepatitis D (HDV) Hepatitis E (HEV) Other unidentified viruses probably also cause acute viral hepatitis.