What is the difference between hepatitis c and hepatitis b?

The difference is hep b is a DNA virus and hep C is a RNA virus. Aside from that overly simple answer, the other differences are that most people (80% or so) exposed to the hep B virus clear it on their own, through their own body's immune response system. With hep C, only about 15-20% of those exposed to it clear it through their own immune system; the rest go on to have chronic, active hepatitis c which causes damage (scarring) to the liver. The damage can progress to cirrhosis (15-20%)or liver cancer in about 5% of people with hep c. The other major difference is that hep B can progress directly to liver cancer (without progressing to cirrhosis first, as hep c does). It is very possible to have no symptoms; that is why both hep b and hep c are so dangerous. People can have it for years or decades and not know it, all the while the alcohol you drink or the medicines you take can make the scarring on the liver (called fibrosis) worse. It is possible she was originally tested during the period of time when the virus could not be detected, or it could be a false positive. There are other tests our health dept. does to determine if the positive is from a vaccine, or from exposure. Read about the other tests at the link below. Best wishes.

HAV is found in the feces of people with hepatitis A and is usually spread by close personal contact (including sex or sharing a household). It can also be spread by eating food HBV is found in blood and certain body fluids. The virus is spread when blood or body fluid from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not immune. HBV is spread through having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles or works when shooting drugs, exposure to needlesticks or sharps on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth. Exposure to infected blood in ANY situation can be a risk for transmission HCV is found in blood and certain body fluids. The virus is spread when blood or body fluid from an HCV-infected person enters another person’s body. HCV is spread through sharing needles or “works” when shooting drugs, through exposure to needlesticks or sharps on the job, or sometimes from an infected mother to her baby during birth. It is possible to transmit HCV during sex, but it is not common.

Hepatitis B is caused by a hepadnavirus Hepatitis C (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") is caused by a Flavivirus

The onset of hepatitis B is often gradual, incubation period is 30 to 180 days. Its transmission route is through a break in the skin or lining membranes; sexually; from trasfusion of blood products; from mother to baby. The severity is often considerable, & the outlook, 10% risk chronic liver disease. The risk of becoming a carrier is up to 30%. With hepatitis C, the onset is gradual, & the incubation period is 5 to 160 days. The transmission route is from transfusion of blood products; From entry of infected blood through a surface break. The severity is moderate, & the outlook, up to 25% risk chronic liver disease. the risk of becoming a carrier is at least 80%. The symptoms range from mild to very severe. Mild hepatitis may not cause any noticeable symptoms, just an off-colour feeling for a few days. Severe hepatitis causes a very serious disturbance of healyh, & can occasionally be fatal. The onset of symptoms may be abrupt or gradual; fever & malaise may be felt for a few days before the onset of Jaundice, which is the most obvious sign that the liver is not working properly. Jaundice caused by hepatitis is most noticeable in the skin & whites of the eyes, & makes urine dark orange or red & the faeces pale. Jaundice may take several days to develope its deepest colour. If the liver is inflamed enough to cause jaundice, many of its other important functions will also be disturbed, triggering other symptoms, including loss of appetite & energy, biliousness, fever, headache, aching muscles & general malaise. There may be pain in the upper abdomen, going through to the back. Most adults infected by a hepatitis virus overcome the infection by developing antibodies against it. Once the antibodies are doing their work, jaundice begins to fade, usually taking 1 to 2 weeks to disappear. Other symptoms of disturbed liver funtion may subside more slowly; it may be weeks or even months before the patient feels well again. In general, the more severe the attack, the longer it takes to get recover. After complete recovery , the patient has immunity against future infection. Blood tests demonstrate disturbed liver function & can identify the causative virus & the stage of infection. There is no specific treatment for acute viral hepatitis, but the antiviral drug interferon has been shown to reduce multiplication of the virus & help the body fight it. Rest is advised until liver function returns to normal & the patient feels well again. Anything that might put extra strain on the liver, such as alcohol & certain drugs, & fatty foods, which need bile to be digested, should be avoided. Hospital treatment for hepatitis is only necessary if vmiting or other symptoms are so severe that the patient must be fed intravenously, or if other complications of the disorder develope. Regards, Starlet..