Hepatitis A, B and C: What is the difference?

Hepatitis is a viral infection which affects the liver. There are many different strains of Hepatitis. Some infections will only last for a short period of time, whilst others can become chronic and lead to serious health problems. Here we explain the main differences between Hepatitis A, B and C, and why it is important to be tested for each.

How is it transmitted?

Hepatitis A is usually passed through contaminated food and drink or contact with an infected person’s faeces. It is most common in countries with low levels of hygiene and poor sanitation. It is not typically considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be passed through sexual intercourse.

Hepatitis B is most often transmitted through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. It can also be passed from mother to child during birth.

Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through sharing needles (drug use), inadequate sterilisation of medical equipment such as syringes, blood transfusion and sexual activity involving exposure to blood.

How is it treated/cured?

Hepatitis A: There is no specific treatment to clear the infection. Normally, a Hepatitis A infection will be cleared naturally by the body over a period of weeks or months. During this time, the infected person is likely to be mildly to severely ill.

Hepatitis B: There is no treatment for short-term (acute) cases of Hepatitis B. Adequate rest and nutritional balance is recommended. Long-term (chronic) infection can be treated with medication, in order to reduce any serious impact on the liver.

Hepatitis C: The body’s immune system can clear a new infection within six months in around 30% of cases. 70% of infections will become chronic, with 15-30% of infected people developing cirrhosis of the liver within 20 years. With effective treatment, Hepatitis C can be cured, but access to this treatment is limited.

Is it life-threatening?

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A can have long-term health complications, even after the initial infection has passed. In some cases, the virus can cause liver cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver tissue that can lead to permanent damage and decreased function. Other potential side effects of a Hepatitis A infection include jaundice, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, joint pain, nausea and vomiting. Hepatitis A is also linked with an increased risk of developing a form of cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B can lead to many long-term health effects. Over time, this virus can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis. Additionally, Hepatitis B may cause other chronic diseases of the liver such as fibrosis, hepatic encephalopathy, and portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein). People living with chronic Hepatitis B infections are also at greater risk for developing other infections such as HIV. In some cases, untreated Hepatitis B infection can even lead to death.

Hepatitis C: The long-term health complications of a Hepatitis C infection can be very serious. It can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, an extreme scarring of the organ that can cause severe pain and discomfort. In extreme cases, it can lead to liver failure which may require a liver transplant. Other complications include increased risk of developing liver cancer or kidney disease. The virus can also cause fatigue and joint pain, as well as depression in some cases.

Know your Hepatitis Status

If you have a particular concern about Hepatitis, the Better2Know Hepatitis Screen can help to relieve your worries, testing for types A, B and C. We can also test you for Hepatitis B and C amongst other STIs in many other comprehensive screens. Our sexual health advisors can provide you with any further information you need.