Many people hear the word “hepatitis” and think of a single disease. In reality, viral hepatitis comes in several forms, with hepatitis B and hepatitis C being two of the most common.
While both viruses target your liver and can cause serious long-term damage, they're actually very different infections.
At Las Vegas Gastroenterology, board-certified gastroenterologists Noel R. Fajardo, MD, and Filippo Cremonini, MD, PhD, MSc, help patients understand their liver health. Through our dedicated viral hepatitis clinic, we provide testing, education, and advanced care to protect your liver from these distinct viruses.
One of the biggest differences between these two infections is how they pass from person to person.
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with blood and bodily fluids like saliva or semen, whereas hepatitis C is primarily transmitted only through direct contact with infected blood.
Additionally, the hepatitis B virus is highly resilient. Hepatitis B virus can remain infectious on environmental surfaces for at least seven days.
This makes hepatitis B much easier to contract through casual contact with contaminated objects than hepatitis C.
Another major difference lies in how we prevent and treat each condition. There's a highly effective vaccine for hepatitis B that can prevent infection. But there's currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, meaning prevention relies entirely on avoiding exposure to infected blood.
When it comes to treatment, the outlooks also differ.
Many adults who contract acute hepatitis B clear the virus on their own without treatment. For chronic cases, we use medications to manage the virus and protect the liver, whereas chronic hepatitis C is highly curable with modern oral medications that can clear the virus from your body.
Because both viruses can live in your body for years without causing obvious symptoms, early detection is key. The CDC recommends that all adults 18 and older get tested for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime.
Routine screening allows us to catch liver inflammation early and start treatment before permanent damage occurs.
Whether you need a routine screening, a vaccine, or specialized care for a chronic liver condition, we're here to support you. You don't have to navigate your liver health alone. Contact one of our offices in Las Vegas, Nevada, today to schedule an appointment.
