Hepatitis B and C

What is hepatitis B and C?

Inflammation of the liver is called hepatitis. Hepatitis can happen for several reasons. It can be a short-term condition or last over a longer period of time.

Long-term inflammation of the liver can lead to permanent damage and scarring. This can reduce the function of your liver. Hepatitis is commonly caused by viral infections. It can also be caused by drinking too much alcohol or autoimmunity.

At the London Liver Group we offer a range of first-class treatment options for several types of hepatitis. An expert multidisciplinary team will support you from your first consultation, during your treatment and throughout your recovery. 

Causes

Hepatitis can be caused by several factors, including alcohol and autoimmune disease.

There are several types of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. You can be exposed to the hepatitis viruses from body fluids or in contaminated food and water. 

Hepatitis B can be spread by contact with bodily fluids, such as during sex, or through contaminated needles. It can also be passed from mother to child during birth.

Hepatitis B causes an acute infection. Most healthy adults and children fight off this infection. 

People who are at risk of hepatitis are encouraged to get the hepatitis B vaccination to prevent infection. Hepatitis C is spread by bodily fluids, such as using contaminated needles, or sexual contact. 

While hepatitis C can cause an acute illness, 75-85% of people go on to develop chronic infection which can lead to serious liver damage over time.

Symptoms

Hepatitis does not always give you symptoms. When it does, you may feel generally unwell and get flu-like symptoms.

More symptoms of hepatitis include:

•    Itchy skin
•    Jaundice – yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
•    Loss of appetite
•    Dark urine
•    Pale-coloured stools
•    Stomach pain
•    Muscle aches and pains
•    Ankle swelling

Some of these symptoms are non-specific. This means they can be caused by a range of conditions. Your doctor will need to investigate your symptoms to diagnose you.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will perform some blood tests and scans to determine the cause of your hepatitis. This includes liver function tests which measure the level of certain liver enzymes. During inflammation, these levels will be high.

Antibody tests will help to determine the type of viral hepatitis you have. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system in response to viruses and bacteria. 

The presence of certain antibodies can confirm whether you have hepatitis B, C or another type of viral hepatitis. If you have a positive test result, you will be asked to do a PCR test. This will detect whether the virus is actively reproducing in your body.

Ultrasound scans can show whether your liver has any scarring or thickening due to the inflammation.

Our experienced specialists will assess and advise you in London Liver Group's comfortable and private consulting rooms in The London Clinic near Harley Street.

Treatments

Hepatitis B and C will often resolve on their own as your immune system fights off the infection. If the infection lasts for longer than 6 months, you will need to take antiviral medication.

Chronic viral hepatitis requires regular check-ups with a liver doctor to make sure the medication is treating the infection. There are 6 types of hepatitis C viruses called genotypes. Your liver specialist will determine which genotype has infected you with a blood test.

Depending on the genotype you test positive for, you will be given a specific regimen of antiviral medication. Treatment is not necessarily lifelong. Our expert team will discuss and advise you on the best treatment course to treat the infection and manage your condition.