Hepatitis B & C: Similar Names, Different Stories
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C often get linked together, which adds to the confusion. Both are viruses that affect the liver. Both can be acute or chronic, and both are manageable and monitored — but how they behave, how they’re treated, and what happens long term are very different.
This article breaks down what Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C actually are, how people get them, what immunity means, and why these two infections differ so much in comparison.
First, What Does “Hepatitis” Mean?
“Hepatitis” simply means inflammation of the liver.
There are many causes of hepatitis (viruses, alcohol, medications, autoimmune disease), but Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections that specifically target liver cells.
Hepatitis B: Acute vs. Chronic
Hepatitis B behaves differently depending on when you’re infected.
Acute Hepatitis B is a new infection. Many adults have mild symptoms or none at all, and most healthy adults clear the virus on their own. If your body clears Hep B, you develop natural immunity and cannot get Hepatitis B again.
Chronic Hepatitis B occurs when the virus is not cleared. This is more likely when infection happens at birth or in childhood. The virus stays in the body long term. Chronic Hepatitis B cannot currently be cured, but it can be very well controlled with medication.
Hepatitis B Immunity (this part confuses a lot of people)
There are three main ways someone can have Hepatitis B immunity:
• Vaccination: You’ve never had Hep B, but your immune system learned to recognize it through the vaccine.
• Natural immunity: You had Hep B in the past and cleared it.
• No immunity: You’ve never had it and are not vaccinated.
Blood tests can tell which category you fall into.
Hepatitis B treatment and long-term outlook
Not everyone with chronic Hepatitis B needs treatment right away. Management depends on viral levels, liver inflammation, and whether liver scarring is present.
When treatment is needed, it usually involves daily antiviral medication. Treatment may be long term. With monitoring and treatment when appropriate, most people live normal life spans.
Untreated chronic Hepatitis B can increase the risk of liver scarring, liver failure, and liver cancer — which is why ongoing follow-up matters, even if you feel fine.
Hepatitis C: A Very Different Virus
Some people clear Hepatitis C on their own, but many develop chronic infection. There is no vaccine currently available for Hepatitis C.
But fortunately, unlike Hepatitis B, chronic Hepatitis C is now usually curable.
Hepatitis C treatment: One of Medicine’s Biggest Wins
Modern Hepatitis C treatment is taken by mouth, usually for 8–12 weeks, with minimal side effects. It cures over 95% of patients.
A cure means the virus is completely gone and does not come back. Treating Hepatitis C early dramatically reduces the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
How People Get Hepatitis B and C
Both viruses can be spread through blood exposure and sexual contact, though sexual transmission is more common with Hepatitis B. Transmission can also occur from parent to baby, particularly with Hepatitis B.
Many people do not know how or when they were exposed. This is common and not a personal failing.
Pregnancy and Hepatitis
Hepatitis B can be prevented in newborns with proper medication and vaccination at birth. Hepatitis C transmission during pregnancy is uncommon, and treatment can usually occur after delivery.
With proper care, people with hepatitis can have healthy pregnancies and healthy children.
The Bottom Line
Hepatitis B is often cleared naturally, sometimes becomes chronic, is very manageable, and is completely preventable with vaccination.
Hepatitis C has no vaccine and is often silent — but it is now usually curable.
The scariest part of hepatitis today isn’t the virus itself — it’s not knowing you have it. That’s why testing matters. Make sure hepatitis screening is part of your routine care or discussed with your provider when appropriate.
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