Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Hepatitis B and C

Viral hepatitis is caused by a number of viruses that affect the liver. The liver has many functions, including filtering toxins from the blood and regulating blood clotting. Loss of any of the liver’s functions can be life threatening. Symptoms of hepatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, and a dark color to the urine. Patients may also develop muscle pain, itching, drowsiness, and irritability.

Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are two of the most common and serious viruses that affect the liver and are the most likely to cause permanent liver damage. Some infected people become "carriers" and can pass the viruses to others, even after recovering from illness. Carriers often do not become ill and aren’t aware of their infection. Most infected with HCV will become a carrier, while most with HBV will not. Diagnosis is through physical exam and blood tests by a health professional. Treatment options are limited and can cause serious side effects.

HBV and HCV can be transmitted by contact with blood, semen and vaginal secretions, through needle sharing, sexual contact, and from an infected woman to her baby at birth. While HBV is commonly passed through sexual contact and birth, HCV is least likely transmitted by these modes. Needle sharing easily transmits both viruses.

You can prevent infection by avoiding sex and sharing needles with infected people. If sexually active, have sex only with an uninfected partner. Risk can be reduced by correct and consistent condom use. A safe and effective vaccine is available for HBV. There is no vaccine for HCV.

For more information about hepatitis and other infectious diseases, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-1017 or (810) 257-3844.