Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C affects close to two million people in the United States. The word hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Today we will discuss the difference between Hepatitis B and C and how your gastroenterologist may help you.
Introduction:
In the United States, close to 72,000 people become infected with viral hepatitis each year. When someone is first infected, they may not feel any symptoms at first. But they may get a more serous illness lasting months.
Hepatitis B and C can become a chronic lifelong infection causing serious health issues. This issues include liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and possibly death. Shockingly, most people with chronic hepatitis live decades before feeling any symptoms and finding out they are infected.
The difference between A, B, and C:
According to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are liver infections caused by three different viruses.” All can cause identical symptoms but are spread in different ways and ultimately affect the liver differently.
Hepatitis is not spoken of much because it is usually short-term. It is not likely to become a long-term infection. Hepatitis B and C may also just be short-term, but in some patients, the virus can cause lifelong infection.
Hepatitis B:
Like we said before, hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation or damage affects the function of the liver. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, certain medications, and some medical conditions can cause hepatitis.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It may be short-term or lifelong, also known as chronic. There are two types of Hepatitis B, acute and chronic.
Acute vs Chronic:
Acute Hepatitis B is referred to as the short-term illness after someone is exposed to the virus, usually within 6 months. Acute can range in severity. Acute can cause someone to have few or little symptoms.
Although it can be mild, it can cause a person to be in a condition where hospitalization is necessary. Some patients can become clear of infection without treatment, especially adults. Good news is, people who become clear of Hepatitis B become immune and cannot get it again. Beware, Acute can, but does not always, lead to chronic infection.
Chronic Hepatitis B is the lifelong infection with the virus. Chronic can cause lifelong, serious health issues. This includes cirrhosis, liver damage, liver cancer, and even death, so seek treatment with your gastroenterologist as soon as any symptoms arise.
About 25-50% of children infected between ages one and five years old will develop this chronic state. However, 95% of infected adults will recover and do not become a chronic case.
How Hepatitis B is spread:
People can become infected with the virus through birth. A mother can infect her child during birth. An infected partner can give it to their partners.
Sharing basic things such as razors or toothbrushes infects others. Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment can spread the virus to those not infected. Direct contact of someone’s infected blood or open sore will also give it to someone not infected.
All in all, Hepatitis B is spread through blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the virus. It is not spread through sharing eating utensils, food or water, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, sneezing, or coughing. Hepatitis A can spread though food or water but Hepatitis B cannot.
If you think you have been exposed to the virus, you may prevent infection by getting the Hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible. If you think there is infected blood or liquid, clean with one part household bleach to ten parts water. If you have the virus you may not donate blood but can still be an organ donor.
Prevention and Vaccination:
This can all be avoided by getting the vaccination. The series must be completed to be fully protected. Soreness at the injection site is about the only side effect. Getting extra doses of the vaccination is not dangerous either, so you may get the vaccination if you cannot remember getting it before.
If the series was not completed, it does not need to be restarted. Just speak to your doctor about continuing the series.
We hope this blog clears up any confusion of Hepatitis B. Speak to your doctor about vaccination. If you have liver damage or need medical attention regarding being infected, make an appointment with Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida.
Staff Writer