Facts About Hepatitis B and C
What is hepatitis? Are there different types of hepatitis?
How do I know if I have hepatitis B or C?
How do you "catch" hepatitis B or C?
Are hepatitis B and C common?
What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis B and C?
Why is liver damage dangerous?
Do I have to get treated?
How can I protect myself from getting hepatitis B or C?
For more information
Q: What is hepatitis? Are there different types of hepatitis?
A: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, drugs, or other factors. So far, there are 6 known kinds of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E, and G. They differ in how they are transmitted as well as how long and how severely they can affect you. For example, hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated foods or water, while hepatitis B, C, and D, more serious forms, are spread through contact with human blood or by sexual activity (primarily B). Hepatitis B and C have the greatest potential to damage your liver in the long term. There is a vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis B, but not for hepatitis C.
Q: How do I know if I have hepatitis B or C?
A: Many people don't notice anything wrong with them — they look and feel healthy. In fact, you can have hepatitis B or C for many years before you even know you have the virus. But by then, your liver may already be damaged. Sometimes, people feel like they have the "flu" — tired, feverish, weak, achy, sick to their stomach, and not hungry. Also, some people might have jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Your doctor may order blood tests to see if you have a mild or severe form of hepatitis. The tests see how well your liver is functioning and may test for the virus itself or for antibodies (proteins your body makes to fight the virus) that have built up in the blood. Check with your doctor to determine how frequently these tests should be repeated.
Q: How do you "catch" hepatitis B or C?
A: Both are definitely spread through contact with human blood, and perhaps through contact with other body fluids. Close to 40% of people with hepatitis C never learn how they were infected. (See footnote 1.) You are at high risk for hepatitis B or C if you:
- Had a blood transfusion before 1975 (for hepatitis B) or 1992 (for hepatitis C)
- Have been a hemodialysis patient
- Had a job that exposed you to human blood
- Have been in contact with the blood of someone who has hepatitis B or C
- Have ever injected or snorted drugs using shared paraphernalia
- Had sex with someone with hepatitis B*
- Have tattoos or body piercing
Q: Are hepatitis B and C common?
A: Both are very common. There are about 1.2 million people in the U.S. with hepatitis B and about 4 million people (1.8% of the U.S. population) with hepatitis C. (See footnote 2.) More than 8 out of 10 people with hepatitis C will develop a chronic infection. (See footnote 3.)
Q: What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis B and C?
A: Both can be either acute (short term, less than 6 months) or chronic (long term, more than 6 months) infections. Hepatitis B usually is not chronic. With an acute infection, your body tries to fight the virus, and if it succeeds in eliminating the virus from your system, most of the injured part of the liver returns to normal. But with chronic hepatitis C, your body fails to fight off the virus in a 6-month period and the virus stays in your system. It can either be inactive for a while or keep damaging your liver as time goes on.
Q: Why is liver damage dangerous?
A: You can't live without a liver. Your liver works in many important ways: it keeps poisons (including alcohol and drugs) from harming your body; it makes necessary body chemicals (fats, proteins, cholesterol); and it performs many other roles to keep you healthy. A damaged liver can't handle all these tasks very well, which can have serious consequences. Hepatitis C can lead to permanent liver damage that may require a liver transplant. In the US, almost a third of all liver transplants were needed due to chronic hepatitis C. (See footnote 4.)
Q: Do I have to get treated?
A: If you think you might have hepatitis or that you've been in contact with an infected person or a contaminated object, see your doctor, a gastroenterologist (a digestive system specialist), or hepatologist (a liver specialist) right away. If you do have chronic hepatitis B or C and do not get medical treatment, you increase the risk of developing life-threatening liver damage (cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure).
Q: How can I protect myself from getting hepatitis B or C?
- Never share needles or personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail files, and clippers — anything that can hold blood.
- If you must get a manicure or body piercing, be sure sterile instruments are used.
- If you have multiple partners, use a latex condom.
- It's better not to get tattoos. The needle and possibly the injected ink both transmit the disease.
- There is no need to worry about contact with things like hair brushes, combs, or eating utensils.
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