What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Symptoms and Treatment

The liver is one of the most important organs of the body, acting as a “filter” and “factory”. Hepatitis, in its simplest definition, means inflammation of the liver and the most common causes are viruses. Especially Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are important for public health due to their transmission routes and the risk of chronicity. When searching for “hepatitis symptoms”, many people wonder: *Is hepatitis contagious? Does it progress without symptoms? Is there a cure for hepatitis?

In this article, we will answer the question what is hepatitis in a comprehensible way; we will summarize Symptoms of Hepatitis B, Symptoms of Hepatitis C, transmission routes, tests used in diagnosis (e.g. what HBsAg positive means, Anti-HBs positive means, HCV RNA negative means) and current treatment approaches. The content is for informational purposes; an infectious diseases or gastroenterology specialist should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Hepatitis? What Does Liver Inflammation Mean?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver cells. This inflammation can be caused by viruses (A, B, C, D, E), certain drugs, alcohol, toxins or autoimmune causes. When people say “inflammation of the liver”, they often mean viral hepatitis.

Difference between acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis

• Acute hepatitis: Usually refers to a new onset of infection. Symptoms may appear within a few weeks or not at all.
• Chronic hepatitis: is defined as infection lasting longer than 6 months. Hepatitis B and especially Hepatitis C should be closely monitored because of their tendency to become chronic.

Do I always have symptoms of hepatitis?

No, they do not. Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can be quiet for a long time. Therefore, screening tests are important in people with a history of risky contact or when elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) are detected in routine blood tests. saying “I am fine, no symptoms” does not mean that hepatitis is not present.

For more general information, you can also take a look at our content: Liver health and prevention of infections in children

What is Hepatitis B? Symptoms, Transmission Routes and Treatment

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus called HBV. It is widespread worldwide and can be prevented by vaccination, which is a great advantage. However, the risk of transmission persists in unvaccinated people.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Symptoms of hepatitis B can vary from person to person. Complaints that can be seen in the acute period:

• Weakness, fatigue
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Discomfort in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (liver area)
• Muscle-joint pain
• **Dark urine, light stool
• Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin), itching

Key point: In chronic hepatitis B, symptoms may be absent for years; hence the concept of “carriage” comes up frequently.

How is hepatitis B transmitted?

the answer to the question “Is hepatitis contagious?” is yes for Hepatitis B, but the main route of transmission is contact with blood and body fluids:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Shared syringe/injector use
• Non-sterile tattooing/piercing, medical/dental procedures
• Contact with blood (open wound, needle stick)
• Transmission from mother to baby during birth (an important route)

Misconceptions: Is it transmitted through casual contact?

Generally no. Hepatitis B is not easily transmitted by hugging, shaking hands, eating from the same plate or using the same toilet. In the home, the risk is mostly associated with blood contact and sharing of personal items (razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers).

Diagnosis of hepatitis B What does HBsAg positive mean?

Hepatitis B tests can be confusing. The most frequently asked questions are:

• HBsAg positive: indicates that the person is infected with the hepatitis B virus (can be acute or chronic).
• Anti-HBs positive: indicates immunity (after vaccination or previous infection). the most practical answer to the question “What does Anti-HBs positive mean?” protective antibodies are present.
• HBV DNA: Indicates the amount of virus in the blood (viral load); important in treatment necessity and follow-up.
• ALT/AST elevation: Gives a clue about liver damage/inflammation but does not make a diagnosis alone.

How is hepatitis B treated?

Hepatitis treatment Hepatitis B treatment is not automatically started for every HBsAg positive person. The treatment decision is made by the physician based on ALT elevation, HBV DNA level, signs of liver damage and the general condition of the person. Some people may be “inactive carriers” and regular follow-up may be sufficient. If necessary, treatment is aimed at suppressing the virus with antiviral drugs; the aim is to reduce liver damage and lower the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B prevention Vaccination

For hepatitis B, vaccination is the most effective prevention. Vaccination is especially important in risk groups (healthcare workers, those with HBV in the same household, those at risk of unprotected sexual intercourse, etc.). although the answer to the question “How many doses of hepatitis B vaccine?” may vary according to age and schedule, a multi-dose scheme is usually applied; family physician/specialist guidance is required for the most accurate plan.

Related content: Guide to vaccinations and protection against infectious diseases

What is Hepatitis C? Symptoms, Transmission Routes and Current Treatment

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a virus called HCV. One of the important differences from hepatitis B is that there is no vaccine. Prevention is therefore based on safe medical practices and avoiding risky contacts.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

**Most people do not have symptoms of hepatitis C for a long time. In the acute phase, there may be mild symptoms; when it becomes chronic, liver damage can develop over many years. Symptoms that can be seen

• Persistent fatigue
• Loss of appetite, nausea
• Fullness/discomfort in the upper right abdomen
• Jaundice, itching over time (in advanced stages)
• Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST)

Because hepatitis C can progress “silently”, it is especially important for people with a history of risk to have screening tests.

How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through blood:

• Shared syringe/injector use
• Non-sterile medical procedures or tattooing/piercing
• In the past (before the development of screening systems), transmission through blood products
• Domestic accidents involving contact with blood, although rare

Although sexual transmission is considered less likely than hepatitis B, it is not completely impossible; the risk increases, especially when there is an increased risk of contact with blood.

Diagnosis of hepatitis C: What does anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA mean?

• Anti-HCV positive: may indicate that the person has been exposed to the virus, but does not by itself prove whether there is active infection.
• HCV RNA: is the test that confirms active infection. the general answer to the question “What does HCV RNA negative mean?” **no active virus detected in the blood; this can sometimes mean a cleared infection in the past or a response after treatment. The interpretation must be made by the physician.

Is there a cure for hepatitis C? Does it go away completely?

the answer to the question “Is there a cure for hepatitis C?” is yes for most patients today. With current direct-acting antiviral treatments, cure (complete cure) is targeted in many people. the question “Is hepatitis C completely cured?” is therefore frequently asked: Permanent virologic response rates are quite high in appropriate patients, with appropriate medication and regular follow-up. The duration of treatment and choice of drug depends on genotype, liver damage, previous treatments and comorbidities.

Differences Between Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C (Brief Comparison)

Although hepatitis B and C share similar symptoms and transmission routes, there are some critical differences:

• Vaccination: There is a vaccine for Hepatitis B; No vaccine for Hepatitis C.
• Chronicity: Both can become chronic; the tendency of hepatitis C to become chronic is more often emphasized in clinical practice.
• Treatment goal: In hepatitis B, the goal is mostly to suppress the virus and reduce liver damage; in hepatitis C, cure can be the goal in many people.
• Transmission: Both are transmitted predominantly through blood/body fluids; sexual and mother-to-infant transmission is more prominent in hepatitis B.

Related reading: Domestic hygiene and safe contact in infectious diseases

When to Consult a Doctor (Risky Contact and Emergency Warning Signs)

It is important to contact a health care provider without delay in the following cases:

After risky contact

• Needle stick, contact with blood
• Suspicion of non-sterile tattoo/siercing
• Anxiety after unprotected sexual contact
• Risk of household blood contact with someone diagnosed with HBV/HCV In these cases, the physician plans which tests will be performed and when, and, if necessary, post-exposure prevention approaches.

Symptoms that may require urgent evaluation

• Rapidly increasing wetness, dark urine
• Severe weakness, confusion
• Severe abdominal pain, marked abdominal swelling
• Easy bruising/bleeding tendency These symptoms may indicate serious liver involvement and require urgent evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is hepatitis contagious?

Yes, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are contagious, but transmission is mostly through blood and body fluids. Transmission through daily social contact is not expected.

What does hepatitis B carrier mean?

It is generally used to refer to people who are HBsAg positive and who do not show symptoms for a long time, and some tests are stable. However, people who are “carriers” also need regular follow-up, as the condition can change over time.

What is HBsAg positive?

Indicates that hepatitis B surface antigen has been detected in the blood, i.e. HBV infection. Whether it is acute or chronic is evaluated with additional tests.

What does anti-HBs positive mean?

Indicates the development of immunity to hepatitis B (after vaccination or previous infection).

Is hepatitis curable?

Yes. treatment of Hepatitis B is planned individually and medication may not be necessary for every patient. Treatment of hepatitis C is done with the goal of cure in many patients with current drugs.

This content is for informational purposes; diagnosis and treatment require a medical examination and laboratory evaluation. If you have been in risky contact or have symptoms suggestive of “hepatitis symptoms”, the safest step is to contact a specialist and have the appropriate tests performed.