Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver due to a viral infection. The differences between hepatitis b and c lie in the virus type, route of transmission, natural history and treatment protocols. But the symptoms are obvious to tell their difference.
Hepatitis B is a blood borne infection. Blood transfusion, unprotected sexual contact, hemodialysis, intravenous drug abuse are known risk factors.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Hepatitis C is a RNA virus. It is also blood borne. Intravenous drug abuse, hemodialysis, blood transfusion, and sexual contact increase the risk of contracting the disease.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C:
- 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 (ascites)
- Swelling in your legs
- Weight loss
- Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Spider-like blood vessels on your skin (spider angiomas)
If you have any symptoms that worry you, please contact your doctor immediately.
Keywords: difference between hepatitis b c; hepatitis b c; hepatitis b c symptoms
