What Are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are both viral infections of the liver. Both can cause serious liver damage over time, including cirrhosis and liver failure.

Hepatitis B spreads when a person comes into contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the virus. These bodily fluids include:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Amniotic fluid

Hepatitis C is spread the same way but only through blood.

What Are Ways That I Can Contract Hepatitis B and C?

The hepatitis B and C viruses can be transmitted by:

• Injecting, snorting, or inhaling drugs with shared needles, syringes, cookers, tourniquets, straws, or pipes.
• Having unprotected sexual contact.
  • Note: Based on reported cases, men who have sex with men are particularly vulnerable to contracting hepatitis C this way.
• Getting stuck with a contaminated and/or unsterilized needle while:
  • Attending a doctor’s appointment.
  • Receiving hormone, silicone, or steroid shots.
  • Getting a tattoo or body piercing.
  • Getting acupuncture.
• Giving birth (a mother with the virus can pass it to her newborn during delivery).
• Sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
• Having direct contact with an infected person’s blood.

In addition to the activities and behaviors listed above, other factors that increase your risk for contracting hepatitis B and C include:

• Receiving dialysis.
• Taking immunosuppressants and/or being immunocompromised.
• Having a sexually transmitted infection.
• Being in jail or prison.
• Working in a healthcare or public safety setting where you may be exposed to blood.

How Can I Protect Myself Against Hepatitis B and C?

The best ways to protect yourself from contracting hepatitis are:

• Hepatitis B: Get vaccinated. The current hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective for babies, children, and adults, having been part of the childhood vaccination protocol since 1991.
• Hepatitis C: There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, so you can stay safe by refraining from, or taking precautions when engaging in, activities known to spread the virus.

Here are specific behaviors you can practice to reduce your risk for contracting hepatitis B and C:

• Do not share needles or other paraphernalia if you use illegal drugs. You can:
  • Ask your healthcare provider if they are aware of any local needle exchange programs. 
  • Buy sterile needles and syringes from a pharmacy. 
• Use condoms and dental dams during sexual activity.
• Do not share personal items that may have blood on them, such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, or earrings. 
  • Remember that even if the item looks clean, there may be a drop of contaminated blood too small to see.
• When being exposed to needles for piercings, tattoos, acupuncture, cosmetic injections, hormone therapy, or steroid use, ensure that the person handling the needles:
  • Uses only new, sterile needles.
  • Wears gloves during the procedure.
  • Are licensed to perform the procedure in the state where they are located.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you think they have touched someone else’s blood.
• Cover all cuts and wounds with bandages until they are fully healed.
• Place used pads and tampons into plastic bags.
• Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active.