HEPATITIS A & B

Hepatitis A and B are both viral liver infections. They have symptoms that are similar but have
different modes of transmission and potential complications. Vaccination can protect against both
viruses.

The term "hepatitis" refers to liver inflammation in general. Inflammation can cause the liver to
stop working properly, which can have a variety of negative health consequences. Hepatitis is
frequently caused by viral infections. Hepatitis A and B are two of the most common.

Hepatitis A Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A and B share some similarities, such as preventive measures, but have significant
differences, such as how they spread, symptoms, and duration of infection.

1
 Hepatitis A
Symptoms ● Reduced appetite
● Jaundice
● Fever
● Dark urine, pale poop
● Nausea and vomiting
● Pain in the right side of the abdomen
● Digestive disorders or diarrhea
● Joint pain
● Weakness, fatigue
How they spread Typically spread through the fecal-oral
route, such as when a person consumes food
or water containing the virus or has sexual
contact with someone who has the virus.
Reinfection Once a person has recovered from hepatitis
A, they cannot contract it again. This is
because people can develop antibodies to
the hepatitis A virus.
Length of Infection Hepatitis A is a short-term infection that can
last from a few weeks to a few months.
Once recovered, a person cannot contract it
again.
Prevention ● before and after using the toilet,
before preparing food, and after
changing diapers, they should
thoroughly wash their hands.
● cleaning surfaces that may have
come into contact with the virus
● obtaining vaccinations, particularly
before international travel
● Heat foods for at least 1 minute at
185°F (85°C).
Hepatitis B
● Losing your appetite
● Jaundice
● Fever
● Dark urine, pale poop
● Nausea and vomiting
● Pain in the right side of the
abdomen
● Hives
● Headache
● Joint pain
● Weakness, fatigue
Spreads through contact with bodily
fluids such as vaginal secretions, blood,
semen, and saliva. It can spread through
sexual contact, sharing needles or other
instruments that can puncture the skin,
or other activities that spread saliva or
other fluids between people.
In people who have previously
recovered from it, it can reactivate and
become chronic. A sudden increase or
reappearance of hepatitis B DNA in a
person's body can result in reactivation.
Hepatitis B is a chronic disease that can
last for the rest of a person's life. People
are frequently unaware that they are
infected.
● utilizing barrier techniques
during sexual activities
● avoiding needle-related
recreational drug use
● not sharing razors, toothbrushes,
or other items in contact with
bodily fluids
● obtaining a vaccination
● putting on gloves when cleaning
up virus-infected blood
2
While hepatitis A and hepatitis B both
affect the liver and have similar
symptoms, they are caused by different
viruses. Their transmission methods,
potential complications, and outlook are
all different.

Hepatitis A is an acute infection that

spreads through contact with
virus-infected food or feces. Contact with
blood, sperm, or other bodily fluids
spreads Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B can be a life-long condition,

whereas hepatitis A is usually
completely recoverable.

Both infections can be avoided through

vaccination and precautions such as
using barrier methods during sex and
thoroughly washing hands after using the
restroom.