What Are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
Although hep A is a short-term illness that goes away completely, hepatitis B and
hepatitis C can turn into serious long-term illnesses for some people. Teens and young
adults are most at risk for getting these two viruses.
Hep B and C get passed from person to person the same ways that HIV
does — through direct contact with infected body fluids. Hepatitis B and C are
even more easily passed in fluids and needles than HIV. This can happen through sexual
contact and by sharing needles (used to inject illegal drugs) that have been contaminated
with infected blood. Even when infected people don't have any symptoms, they can still
pass the disease on to others.
Sometimes mothers with hep B or C pass the virus along to their babies when they're
born. Hep B and C also can get passed in ways you might not expect — such as
getting a manicure or pedicure with unsterilized nail clippers or other dirty instruments.
Getting a tattoo, if dirty needles are used, is another way someone can get hep B
or C.
Can Hepatitis B and C Be Prevented?
Today, all babies get vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus in a series of three
shots over a 6-month period. Doctors also recommend "catch-up" vaccination for all
kids and teens younger than 19 years old who didn't get the vaccine as babies or didn't
get all three doses.
Unfortunately, there's no vaccine for hep C yet.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Hepatitis?
Some people with hepatitis show no signs of having the disease. Others may have
these symptoms:
- being extra tired
- flu-like symptoms — throwing up, feeling hot, etc.
- yellowing of skin and whites of eyes
- belly pain (especially on the upper right side)
- dark brown pee
- light-colored stools (poop)
- poor appetite for days in a row or weight loss
What Do Doctors Do?
A doctor who thinks someone may have hepatitis may ask questions like these:
- Has the person been around anyone who works in health care or childcare?
- Did the person stick himself or herself with a dirty needle or get a tattoo with
a dirty needle?
- Did the person have contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has hepatitis?
- Did the person have a blood transfusion as a baby?
- Have any of the person's family members had hepatitis?
- Could the person have eaten food that was contaminated with hepatitis A?
The doctor can order a blood test to see if someone has hepatitis and which type,
then help the person get the right care.
How Is Hepatitis Treated?
Someone who has hepatitis will need to drink enough fluids, eat healthy foods,
and get rest. The person's family members may need to get hepatitis vaccines, if they
haven't already.
Later on, the person will get follow-up blood tests. Often the blood tests will
show that the person no longer has hepatitis. Sometimes, the blood tests may show
that someone is now a carrier of hepatitis — he or she won't have hepatitis
symptoms, but could pass the infection to other people.
Sometimes, blood tests will continue to show that some people still have hep B
or C, which means they may have chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis.
If so, they will need to eat healthy foods and take very good care of themselves by
getting rest and visiting the doctor regularly. In some cases, someone with chronic
hepatitis may get special medicine for the condition.
We hope that this heads-up on hepatitis will help you stay safe. It may sound funny,
but you can love your liver by washing your hands and making smart choices!
Date reviewed: August 2017