World Hepatitis Day 2023: Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C; which is extra harmful? Know signs and prevention suggestions

Hepatitis, an irritation of liver, could cause gentle in addition to extreme signs relying on their kind. There are 5 kinds of hepatitis particularly Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E. They all are contracted in another way, and a few sorts will be extra harmful than the others. According to WHO, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C could cause continual illness, everlasting harm to life and even demise. Common indicators of hepatitis are higher stomach ache, fever, nausea, vomiting, weak point, lack of urge for food, unfastened motions, jaundice amongst others. Around 354 million folks around the globe stay with Hepatitis B or C. (Also learn: World Hepatitis Day 2023: Date, history, theme and significance of the day)

Hepatitis B, a viral an infection could cause each acute and continual liver illness. It may even be deadly because it raises one’s danger of cirrhosis and liver most cancers. The an infection can unfold via contaminated physique fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. Newborns are given the vaccine to guard towards the an infection on the time of delivery, adopted up by vaccine a number of weeks later.

Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus and will be transmitted by way of blood transfusion, reuse of insufficient sterilization of medical tools, particularly syringes and needles, sharing of injection tools. It can cross from an contaminated mom to her child or sexual practices that result in publicity to blood.

Difference between Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and which one is deadlier?

“Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections which are transmitted either sexually or through contact with blood/bodily fluids of infected person. Sometimes there can be co-infection also. Despite having a vaccine, Hepatitis B infection is more common worldwide as compared to Hepatitis C. The Hepatitis B virus is also approximately 5-10 times more infectious than Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B most of the times gets cleared by the body without any medication, but if it becomes chronic, there is no clear-cut cure for it. Hepatitis C can be cured with an antiviral pill if it is detected in the early stages of the disease. Both the viruses can cause liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer in the long run,” says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant- Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

Common indicators and signs of hepatitis are

• Weakness and fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Right higher stomach ache
• Clay colored stools
• Loss of urge for food and unfastened stools
• Fever
• Yellowing of the pores and skin and the eyes (jaundice)
• Itching over physique

Prevention suggestions

Dr Tayal shares tricks to forestall Hepatitis an infection:

• During sexual activity with an individual of unknown medical standing, at all times use a bodily contraceptive.
• Never share needles.
• Always bear a medical process from a registered physician and hospital solely.
• Blood ought to at all times be procured from a registered blood financial institution in case of want for blood transfusion.
• Ensure that your barber ought to sterilise his devices previous to a shave.
• Avoid getting tattoos from unregistered distributors.
• Hepatitis B vaccine ought to be taken by everybody to stop possibilities of an infection.
• Exercise usually to maintain your liver wholesome.