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Hep A, B, and C: What’s the difference?
Are you confused about the different types of hepatitis? You’re not alone. There are many types of hepatitis that cause inflammation and damage to the liver, yet the most common forms are Hep A, Hep B, and Hep C. Learn about how these infections are transmitted, prevented, and treated.
Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C | |
---|---|---|---|
How is it transmitted? | Fecal matter that comes in contact with the mouth through:
• Eating/drinking | Blood, semen, other body fluids through:
• Sharing equipment for injecting, snorting, or smoking drugs | Blood:
• Sharing equipment for injecting, snorting, or smoking drugs |
What are the symptoms? | • Fever • Loss of appetite • Fatigue • Abdominal pain • Diarrhea • Nausea • Vomiting • Yellowing of skin or eyes | • Fever • Loss of appetite • Fatigue • Abdominal pain • Diarrhea • Nausea • Vomiting • Yellowing of skin or eyes | • Fever • Loss of appetite • Fatigue • Abdominal pain • Diarrhea • Nausea • Vomiting • Yellowing of skin or eyes |
Is there a vaccine? | Yes | Yes | No |
How is it prevented? | • Vaccine • Frequent handwashing after using bathroom and before eating or using drugs • Not sharing items, such as drinks, utensils, cigarettes, and drug pipes | • Vaccine • Not sharing syringes • Not sharing drug equipment • Condoms • Getting tattoos and piercings only at reputable places | • Not sharing syringes • Not sharing drug equipment • Condoms • Getting tattoos and piercings only at reputable places |
How long does it last? | Usually goes away in a month or two | Varies: can go away in a few months or last a lifetime | Varies: can go away in a few months or last a lifetime |
How is it treated? | No treatment: most people recover fully on their own | Medications to manage ongoing (chronic) infection | Medications to cure the infection in as little as eight weeks |
Can it come back? | No: after Hep A goes away, people are immune | No: after Hep B goes away, people are immune | Yes: after Hep C goes away or is cured, re-infection is possible |
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