Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a type of liver infection where the liver becomes inflamed, impairing its function. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids (such as through sexual intercourse with an infected person), while hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact (such as through the sharing of needles with an infected person). Pregnant women who have hepatitis B or C can also transmit the virus to her child during delivery.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine, while hepatitis C does not have an available vaccine.

Patients who become infected with hepatitis B and C may have it for a short-term (acute hepatitis), but it can also develop into a long-term disease (chronic hepatitis). In most cases, chronic hepatitis C is more common than chronic hepatitis B.

How does one know if they have hepatitis B or hepatitis C?

Symptoms of hepatitis B usually occur within 6 months of being exposed to the virus; and can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, dark-coloured urine, jaundice, pale-coloured stools, and abdominal pain.

Patients with acute hepatitis C are usually asymptomatic and usually do not know that they have been infected until it has progressed to the chronic stage. Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure.