Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Silent liver infections that can be controlled or cured

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections of the liver that spread through blood and, for hepatitis B, also from mother to baby and through sexual contact. Many people have no symptoms for years. Without treatment, long-term infection can scar the liver (cirrhosis) and raise the risk of liver cancer. Hepatitis C can now be cured with tablets, and hepatitis B can be controlled.

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About viral hepatitis

What are hepatitis B and C?

Both viruses infect liver cells and cause inflammation. A short (acute) infection may clear by itself; when it lasts more than six months it is called chronic. Chronic hepatitis B is more likely when infection happens at birth or in early childhood. Most adults with hepatitis C develop chronic infection unless treated.

  • Spread: unsafe injections, transfusions, tattoos, shared razors
  • Hepatitis B also spreads mother-to-baby and sexually
  • Not spread by food, water, hugging or sharing utensils
  • A vaccine protects against hepatitis B
  • No vaccine yet for hepatitis C, but it is curable

Test

Simple blood tests.

Stage

Liver tests and scan.

Treat

Antiviral tablets.

Protect

Vaccinate the family.

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Symptoms

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms until the liver is damaged.

Tiredness

Ongoing low energy.

Poor appetite

Not feeling like eating.

Nausea

Feeling sick, sometimes vomiting.

Yellow eyes or skin

Jaundice during a flare or late disease.

Dark urine

Tea-coloured urine.

Abdominal pain

Discomfort in the upper right abdomen.

Swelling

Of the abdomen or legs in cirrhosis.

Itching

Itchy skin.

Seek urgent care if: there is vomiting of blood, black stools, confusion or drowsiness, or the abdomen swells quickly. Call 0522-666-4444.

Diagnosis

How hepatitis B and C are diagnosed

Simple blood tests detect infection.

Screening tests

HBsAg for hepatitis B; anti-HCV antibody for hepatitis C.

Confirmatory tests

Viral load (HBV DNA or HCV RNA) shows active infection.

Liver function tests

Enzymes, bilirubin, albumin and clotting.

Liver scan

Ultrasound or elastography to assess scarring.

Endoscopy if needed

To check for swollen veins in cirrhosis.

Treatment

Treatment

Treatment differs for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Curable with tablets

Direct-acting antiviral tablets, usually taken for 12 weeks, cure most people with hepatitis C. A blood test after treatment confirms the virus has cleared.

Daily tablets, usually for 8 to 12 weeksFew side effectsTest for cure after treatment

Who should be treated

  • Almost everyone with active hepatitis C
  • Including people with cirrhosis, with closer care

Good to know

  • Cure does not protect against reinfection
  • Free testing and treatment are available under the national viral hepatitis programme
Living with hepatitis

Protecting your liver

General guidance — always follow the advice your own doctor gives you.

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol speeds up liver damage. Avoid it completely.

Check medicines and herbs

Some painkillers, supplements and herbal remedies can harm the liver. Ask before taking them.

Vaccines

Ask about hepatitis A and B vaccines for you and your family if not immune.

Contact us urgently if

  • Vomiting blood or black stools
  • Confusion or extreme drowsiness
  • Rapidly swelling abdomen
  • Deepening jaundice
0522-666-4444
Myths & facts

Myths about hepatitis

Tap a card to see the fact.

Myth

“Hepatitis spreads through sharing food.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Hepatitis B and C spread through blood and body fluids, not food, water or casual contact.

Myth

“No symptoms means no damage.”

Tap to flip
Fact

The liver can be scarred silently. Regular tests are important.

Myth

“Hepatitis C is lifelong.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Hepatitis C is curable in most people with a short course of tablets.

Your care team

Gastroenterologists

Gastroenterology and hepatology Fatty liver disease Upper GI endoscopy
Practical help

What to bring, costs & insurance

A little preparation helps us help you faster.

What to bring to your visit

Tick off as you pack:

  • Hepatitis test reports and viral load
  • Ultrasound or scan reports
  • List of medicines and supplements

Costs & insurance

Costs depend on the tests and treatment you need and the length of any hospital stay. Ask our team for a written estimate.

  • ✓Written estimate— ask for one before planned procedures or admission.
  • ✓Health insurance & TPA— cashless treatment for admissions under tie-up insurers; outpatient visits depend on your policy.
  • ✓Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) accepted for eligible admissions.
  • ✓Corporate & PSU panels— ask whether your employer has a tie-up with Charak Hospital.

*Coverage depends on your policy and the treatment. Our insurance desk can check this for you.

Call 0522-666-4444
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can I marry or have children with hepatitis B?

Yes. Your partner should be tested and vaccinated, and babies receive vaccine and immunoglobulin at birth to prevent infection.

Is hepatitis C treatment long?

Usually 8 to 12 weeks of tablets for most people.

Should my family be tested?

Yes. Household members and sexual partners of a person with hepatitis B should be tested and vaccinated if not immune.

Can I donate blood?

No. People with hepatitis B or C should not donate blood.

Glossary

Words you may hear

HBsAgA blood test showing hepatitis B infection.
Viral loadThe amount of virus in the blood.
CirrhosisSevere scarring of the liver.
AntiviralA medicine that stops a virus multiplying.

No matching term. Please ask your doctor at your next visit.

Related pages

Related departments and guides

Gastroenterology and hepatology Fatty liver disease Jaundice Upper GI endoscopy Health library

Tested positive for hepatitis B or C?

Get it assessed. See a gastroenterologist at Charak Hospital or call 0522-666-4444.

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Medical information disclaimer: This page provides general health information for patients and families. It is not a substitute for a consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. Treatment decisions depend on each patient's individual condition. In an emergency, call 0522-666-4444 or go to the nearest emergency department.

About this page: Prepared by the Charak Hospital web team with the help of AI writing tools, using information from the Department of Medical Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Charak Hospital & Research Centre ·  Last updated: October 2026

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