Hepatitis B is a blood borne infection. Blood transfusion, unprotected sexual contact, hemodialysis, intravenous drug abuse are known risk factors. After the virus enters the body, it remains dormant for 1 to 6 months before giving rise to prodromal symptoms like fever and lethargy. Extra-hepatic features are more common in hepatitis B. During the acute stage liver and spleen enlargement occur.
On the other hand, Hepatitis C is a RNA virus. It is also blood borne. Intravenous drug abuse, hemodialysis, blood transfusion, and sexual contact increase the risk of contracting the disease. Chronic hepatitis is very common after hepatitis C infection. Around 20% get cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma risk is also high with hepatitis C. Presentations are similar to hepatitis B.
The question in the response in both of two viral infections to antiviral therapy and whether which of the them is curable or treatable?
People with acute hepatitis B do not require treatment. Rest, drinking lots of fluids and maintaining adequate nutrition are usually all that is needed to manage acute hepatitis B symptoms.
Chronic hepatitis B is not curable, but it is treatable. The goal of therapy is to reduce the risk of complications, including premature death. Treatment can help to prevent cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer by reducing hepatitis B viral load and the loss of HBeAg(either with or without detection of anti-HBe) while improving liver enzyme levels.
Many experts anticipate that medications to cure hepatitis B virus (HBV) will be available soon.
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