A viralhepatitisinfection is an inflammation of the liver, resulting in liver damage.
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Symptoms
HBV and HCV have similar symptoms.
Acute infections may cause physical symptoms.
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However, some people may only have mild symptoms while others may be asymptomatic (have no symptoms).
Symptoms of an acute infection may include:
People with chronic HBV and HCV infections often have no symptoms.
Some people with chronic infections report vague symptoms such as chronic fatigue and depression.
If you become infected with either virus, inflammation and significant liver damage can occur.
The damage may includecirrhosis(liver scarring) or evenliver cancer.
It impacts liver functioning, which includes fighting infections, processing nutrients, and removing toxins from the body.
Hepatitis Transmission
HBV and HCV can be transmitted through similar behaviors and activities.
However, the prevalence of each virus and how long they take to show symptoms differ.
On average, the incubation period is about 90 days.
However, the numbers may be as high as 2.2 million.
Hepatitis C
The most common ways HCV is transmitted are through injection drug use and pregnancy.
Coming into contact with donated blood or having a blood transfusion could possibly transmit HCV.
Treatment
Treating HBV and HCV infections isn’t quite the same.
Treating HBV is uncommon unless the infection is considered chronic.
However, not all chronic HBV infections require treatment.
If tests determine that liver damage has occurred from a chronic infection, treatment will involve antiviral medications.
The treatment duration will vary from person to person.
Regular monitoring of any liver damage or cancer is common as well.
Treatment with antiviral medications can cure acute and chronic HCV infections.
It is possible for an acute infection to go away on its own.
A healthcare provider may also recommend getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for HBV and HCV infections are similar.
Avoiding contact with any bodily fluids that may transmit the virus is the primary mode of prevention.
However, one major difference is that there is a vaccine to prevent HBV, but not HCV.
The primary way to prevent a hepatitis B infection is to get thehepatitis B vaccine.
Other ways to prevent an HBV infection include:
There is no vaccine for HCV.
Summary
There are many similarities between HBV and HCV but also some key differences.
Both can be transmitted through infected blood.
Other bodily fluids, like semen, may also transmit HBV and HCV.
Many people with HBV or HCV have no symptoms.
Blood tests, a physical exam, and a health history are used to diagnose HBV or HCV.
HCV is treated with antiviral medication, but some acute infections may resolve on their own.
Treatment may not be necessary for acute or chronic HBV infections unless there’s liver damage.
Avoiding activities that may expose you to infected blood or bodily fluids can help prevent HBV and HCV.
There is also a vaccine for HBV, but not for HCV.
This coinfection can rapidly lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (a liver cancer) and liver death.
Hepatitis A is considered to be highly contagious.
It is spread through contact with infected blood and stool.
People with a hepatitis A infection can spread it to someone else before they even begin to feel sick.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is Viral Hepatitis?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis basics.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Viral hepatitis in the United States: Data and trends.
World Health Organization.Hepatitis d.
World Health Organization.Hepatitis C.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis b basics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis a basics.
