Can hepatitis B and C be treated?
Yes. Chronic hepatitis B is controlled, usually with a daily antiviral tablet and six-monthly checks, so the liver stays protected for years. Hepatitis C is cured in more than 95% of people with an 8 to 12 week course of tablets, according to the WHO. The first step is a confirmatory test to see which virus you have and how active it is.
Hepatitis B
A screening test (HBsAg) tells you the virus is present. It does not tell you how active it is or whether the liver is being harmed. A few more blood tests, and sometimes a FibroScan, answer that. Many people need no medicine at all, only a check-up every six to twelve months. Others benefit from a daily antiviral tablet that keeps the virus quiet and protects the liver for years.
Hepatitis B is preventable. Your spouse, children and anyone you live with should be tested and, if negative, vaccinated.
Hepatitis C
An antibody test shows you have met the virus at some point. A second test (HCV RNA) shows whether it is still there. If it is, a course of direct-acting antiviral tablets, usually 8 to 12 weeks, cures more than 95% of people according to the WHO. A final test a few months after finishing confirms the cure.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so safe injections and screened blood remain the only protection.
Before you come
- The positive report and any earlier ones
- Names of any antiviral medicine you have taken before
- A note of who lives with you, so testing and vaccination can be planned
Common questions
Are hepatitis B and C treated with the same tablets?
No. They are different viruses. Hepatitis B is usually controlled long-term; hepatitis C is cured with a short, fixed course.
Can I pass hepatitis B to my family by sharing food?
No. It spreads through blood, unprotected sex and from mother to baby at birth, not through food, water or everyday contact.
I feel fine. Do I still need follow-up?
Yes. Hepatitis B can damage the liver silently for years. A check-up every six to twelve months catches problems early.
Sources: WHO fact sheet: Hepatitis B; WHO fact sheet: Hepatitis C
This is general health information, not personal medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own reports and symptoms.