Hepatitis A, B, and C: What’s the difference?

You may get infected with hepatitis A primarily by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person – even in very small amounts.

You can get infected when the HBV virus present in the blood, semen, or other bodily fluid of the infected person gets inside your body. This can commonly happen in the following ways:

• By having unprotected sex with the infected person
• By being born to an infected mother, Pregnant mothers who are infected can pass HBV and HCV to their infants.
• By sharing contaminated paraphernalia (i.e. needles, syringes) among persons who inject drugs

Less common modes of transmission include needlestick/sharp injuries and contact with open sores of the infected person.

You can get infected when the HCV virus present in the blood of the infected person gets inside your body mainly by sharing contaminated needles or syringes with an infected person for illicit drug use.

Other less common modes of transmission include sexual contact with infected person, needlestick/sharp injuries and mother-to-child transmission.

Almost all cases of hepatitis A are acute (short-term). Acute infections last only a few weeks to several months (less than 6 months).

In acute cases, the immune system is able to successfully fight off the infection, so the virus is cleared from the body and the liver heals completely within 6 months.

Hepatitis B can also begin as acute infections. However, in some people, the virus remains in the body and causes chronic, or long-lasting, infection that persists for more than 6 months.

Chronic HBV infections that are left untreated for several years may lead to serious complications such as, cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver cancer and liver failure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic HBV infection is common in:

• 9 out of 10 infected infants
• 5 out of 10 infected young children (between 1 and 5 years)
• 1 out of 10 infected adults

Hepatitis C can also begin as acute infections. However, in some people, the virus remains in the body and causes chronic, or long-lasting, infection that persists for more than 6 months.

Chronic HCV infections that are left untreated for several years may lead to serious complications such as, cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver cancer and liver failure.

More than 50 % (more than 5 out of 10) people infected with HCV will develop chronic (long-lasting) infection.

Since hepatitis A only causes a short-term infection, most infected people recover without permanent liver damage.

While most patients infected with hepatitis A recover fully, some people, typically those with pre-existing liver disease, experience severe liver damage that can be fatal.

15-25 % of people with chronic HBV infection will develop complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure.

5-25 % of people with chronic HCV infection will develop cirrhosis in 10-20 years if left untreated.

People who developed cirrhosis has 1-4% annual risk of liver cancer.

There is no medication or specific medical treatment for hepatitis A.

Since it is a short-term viral infection that goes away on its own, the focus of treatment will be on supportive methods.  You will be advised to have adequate rest, drink lot of fluids, eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol.

For acute HBV infection, the treatment is also mostly supportive in the form of adequate rest, hydration, and balanced diet.

For chronic infection:  Antiviral drugs may be prescribed to control the infection and reduce inflammation and liver damage. 

Regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression will also be prescribed.

A course of antiviral therapy that involve 8-12 weeks of oral medication is prescribed to both acute and chronic infections.

It is estimated that over 90 % of people prescribed with antiviral therapy can be cleared of the virus.

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A.
• Always wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.
• Only drink safe drinking water.
• Wash and rinse raw produce before eating or serving.

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Stop using illicit drugs, particularly if you inject them.
• Practice safe sex.
• If you plan to get a tattoo or body piercing, look for a reputable shop that is known to have safe hygiene practices.

There is currently no vaccine available against hepatitis C infection. Instead, you must do the following to prevent contracting the virus:

• Stop using illicit drugs particularly if you inject them.
• If you plan to get a tattoo or body piercing, look for a reputable shop that is known to have safe hygiene practices.
• Practice safe sex.