Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are liver diseases. Hepatitis occurs when the liver is inflamed. These two conditions are caused by viruses. Viruses are small microorganisms that cause sickness. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis C, on the other hand is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
HBV and HCV can cause symptoms of hepatitis, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), easy bruising, fever, loss of appetite, dark yellow urine, feeling tired, and swollen stomach or ankles. Sometimes, people with hepatitis B and C have no symptoms. However, if hepatitis remains untreated, it can result in liver damage, producing symptoms.
Transmission
A person can get hepatitis B when he or she comes in contact with an infected person’s blood, semen, or other body fluid. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), you could get hepatitis B from
Prevention
The best way to prevent getting hepatitis B is through vaccination. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C.
There are other ways to prevent getting or spreading hepatitis like not sharing drug needles, wearing gloves when touching another person’s blood, using a condom during sex, and not sharing toothbrushes and razors.
Also, experts advise people who have been tested positive for hepatitis B and C not to donate blood and blood products.
Both conditions can become chronic leading to liver damage.
Sources:
What I Need to Know About Hepatitis B (April 2009). NIH Publication No. 09–4228. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm). Accessed: November 18, 2009
What I Need to Know About Hepatitis C (April 2009). NIH Publication No. 09–4229. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/index.htm). Accessed: November 18, 2009
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HBV and HCV can cause symptoms of hepatitis, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), easy bruising, fever, loss of appetite, dark yellow urine, feeling tired, and swollen stomach or ankles. Sometimes, people with hepatitis B and C have no symptoms. However, if hepatitis remains untreated, it can result in liver damage, producing symptoms.
Transmission
A person can get hepatitis B when he or she comes in contact with an infected person’s blood, semen, or other body fluid. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), you could get hepatitis B from
• being born to a mother with hepatitis BPeople can get hepatitis C through contact with contaminated blood. The NDDIC has provided some information on how hepatitis C can be transmitted including:
• having sex with an infected person
• being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
• getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
• using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
• sharing drug needles with an infected person
• having been born to a mother with hepatitis CHepatitis B and C are not transmitted or spread through shaking hands with an infected person, hugging an infected person, sitting next to an infected person.
• having sexual contact with an infected person
• being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
• getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
• using the razor or toothbrush of an infected person
• sharing drug needles with a positively infected person
Prevention
The best way to prevent getting hepatitis B is through vaccination. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C.
There are other ways to prevent getting or spreading hepatitis like not sharing drug needles, wearing gloves when touching another person’s blood, using a condom during sex, and not sharing toothbrushes and razors.
Also, experts advise people who have been tested positive for hepatitis B and C not to donate blood and blood products.
Both conditions can become chronic leading to liver damage.
Sources:
What I Need to Know About Hepatitis B (April 2009). NIH Publication No. 09–4228. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm). Accessed: November 18, 2009
What I Need to Know About Hepatitis C (April 2009). NIH Publication No. 09–4229. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/index.htm). Accessed: November 18, 2009
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