Every year, thousands of people become newly infected by some form of hepatitis. This serious health condition does not discriminate and can lead to other chronic illnesses and sometimes death. Some that are diagnosed with hepatitis may not have symptoms, while others may experience fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain, and other symptoms.

In the United States, the three main threats are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While many Americans have heard of these forms of hepatitis, not many can differentiate between them.

That’s why we’re going to break down each form and its signs to help you understand the difference and to help you make an informed decision about hepatitis prevention to protect you and your loved ones.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is often found in the feces of people who have hepatitis A and spreads by fecal-oral contact. Infection can occur if even a microscopic amount of virus-laden feces reaches the mouth. This can happen by consuming contaminated food or beverages or through close personal contact or sex with an infected person.

Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever

A person who is infected with hepatitis A may be sick from a few weeks to a few months, but in most cases will recover with no lasting damage to the liver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccination to any person or child wishing to obtain immunity.

The hepatitis A vaccine protects you or your child and is given through two-rounds of shots. Typically, the first dose is given between 12–23 months of age and the second dose is given 6 months after the first dose was administered.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and other body fluids of people who have hepatitis B. Infection occurs when there is contact with these fluids—for example, during sex with an infected person or exposure to contaminated needles. Approximately 25 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B will die from liver disease. 

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements

More than 22,000 new cases of hepatitis B are diagnosed in Americans each year, and around 862,000 people are currently living with the condition. Like hepatitis A, hepatitis B is also vaccine-preventable, and the three-round vaccination is recommended in infancy. The first dose is given shortly after birth, the second dose is given around 1–2 months of age, and the third dose is given around 6–18 months of age. 

Hepatitis C

Out of hepatitis A, B, and C, hepatitis C is the most common. The CDC estimates that more than 44,000 new infections are diagnosed each year. More than 2 million Americans are living with the condition.

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C is also found in the blood. It can be spread by sexual contact, although it’s usually spread from mother to child during childbirth or by sharing hypodermic needles or other drug paraphernalia. Up to 85 percent of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Those with chronic hepatitis C are much more likely to develop cirrhosis, a condition affecting the liver—with 5 to 25 percent of all patients developing cirrhosis.

Symptoms include:

• Bleeding easily
• Bruising easily
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Dark-colored urine
• Itchy skin
• Fluid buildup in your abdomen 

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. Because of this, healthcare professionals call for adults to be tested for hepatitis C at least once after age 18 and during every pregnancy for women.

If you have questions or concerns about you or your family’s vaccination history, your child’s vaccination schedule, or to talk to one of our trained staff members about hepatitis and its risk, call us at 304.478.3339. Remember it only takes a few shots to protect yourself and your loved ones for a lifetime.