Hepatitis B is a liver disease.
You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it. Hepatitis B is a virus which can cause inflammation of the liver. Inflammation over a prolonged period of time may lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver which may lead to liver failure.
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus.
A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid.
You could get hepatitis B by
An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth.
You can NOT get hepatitis B by
Hepatitis B can make you feel like you have the flu.
You might:
Some people have:
If you have symptoms or think you might have hepatitis B, go to a doctor.
To check for hepatitis B, the doctor will test your blood. These tests show if you have hepatitis B and how serious it is.
The doctor may also do a liver biopsy.
A biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis B and liver damage.
Treatment for hepatitis B may involve
You can get the hepatitis B vaccine.
A vaccine is a drug that you take when you are healthy that keeps you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack certain viruses, like the hepatitis B virus.
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given through three shots. All babies should get the vaccine. Infants get the first shot within 12 hours after birth. They get the second shot at age 1 to 2 months and the third shot between ages 6 and 18 months.
Older children and adults can get the vaccine, too. They get three shots over 6 months. Children who have not had the vaccine should get it.
You need all of the shots to be protected. If you are traveling to other countries, make sure you get all the shots before you go. If you miss a shot, call your doctor or clinic right away to set up a new appointment.
Vaccines protect you from getting hepatitis B.
You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you
People who touch blood at work should wear gloves to protect themselves from hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease.
You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it. Hepatitis C is a virus which can cause inflammation of the liver. Inflammation over a prolonged period of time may lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver which may lead to liver failure. Hepatitis C is a chronic illness which has few symptoms at its onset, often delaying the diagnosis by many years.
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus.
A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis C is called the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis C is spread by contact with an infected person's blood.
You could get hepatitis C by:
You can NOT get hepatitis C by:
If you had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, you might have hepatitis C.
Before 1992, doctors could not check blood for hepatitis C, and some people received infected blood. If you had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, ask a doctor to test you for hepatitis C. (See "What are the tests for hepatitis C?")
Illustration of a Doctor talking to a patient.
A doctor can test you for hepatitis C.
Many people with hepatitis C don't have symptoms.
However, some people with hepatitis C feel like they have the flu.
So, you might:
If you have symptoms or think you might have hepatitis C, go to a doctor.
To check for hepatitis C, the doctor will test your blood.
These tests show if you have hepatitis C and how serious it is.
The doctor may also do a liver biopsy.
A biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis C and liver damage.
Most types of Hepatitis C are now treated with a combination of oral medications, without Interferon. These newer treatment are extremely effective in curing most Hepatitis C (~95%), even in patients who have failed previous treatment regimens, with minimal if any side effects. There has truly been a revolution in the treatment of Hepatitis C, talk to your physician about Hepatitis C treatment today.
