While there are five types of hepatitis, hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent. With a number of different types of hepatitis, it can be difficult to understand the difference between them. Understanding the difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C begins with understanding the viral infection at a foundational level.
What is Hepatitis?
In short, hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as alcohol, drugs, genetic disorders, an autoimmune response, or a reaction to bacteria or virus. Hepatitis can have both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects, depending on the patient. All types of hepatitis can cause serious damage to the liver, like fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. This is especially harmful to your health because the liver’s job is to filter toxins out of the body. Having a damaged liver means more toxins that remain in the body/
How is it Transmitted?
Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are transmitted through blood-borne pathogens or bodily fluids. Meaning, coming into contact with an infected person’s blood or other bodily fluids via sharing needles, having unprotected sex, or from mother to child during childbirth.
What are the Potential Symptoms?
While symptoms can be severe, many people with hepatitis experience no symptoms at all, while some are only mild. Common hepatitis symptoms include :
- Dark yellow, brown or orange urine
- Pale or gray stool
- Nausea or vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
- Fever and fatigue
- Abdominal or joint pain
What’s the Difference Between Hepatitis B and C?
While hepatitis B and hepatitis C are very similar, there are a few key differences:
- Transmission: Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, while hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through blood-borne pathogens.
- Chronic conditions: Developing chronic hepatitis C symptoms is far more common than developing chronic hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B is more common than chronic hepatitis B, and most people recover on their own in a few weeks. This may be due to the vaccines that are available for hepatitis B that most people get as babies. These vaccines help your body develop antibodies against hepatitis B, making it easier to recover from later on in life. There are no vaccines for hepatitis C, however.
- Cure and treatment: Hepatitis C is curable with timely medical treatment, while hepatitis B is not. However, there are treatments available to help manage hepatitis B and most people recover on their own, there is no medical cure.
How to Protect Yourself Against Hepatitis
Although hepatitis B and hepatitis C are different in nature, prevention is largely the same. The best way to protect yourself against hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, you prevent both viral infections by following these simple precautions:
- Don’t share personal items, including razors, toothbrushes, or needles.
- Make sure tattoo or body piercing needles are sterile before use.
- Use condoms with sexual partners.
- Avoid direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
Now that you know the difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C, you can better protect yourself against these viral infections. At Infections Managed, your health and safety are our top priority, along with providing compassionate and holistic care. We offer various testing and treatment options for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, empowering you to take control over your health. Contact us today to learn more.