The difference between hepatitis A and B

In order to know the difference between Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B, let’s first briefly understand about the actual disease. 

What is Hepatitis?

Caused most often by a viral infection, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver¹. Other than a viral infection, alcohol, certain medications, exposure to toxic substances or immune system disorders could cause hepatitis².

There are 5 main types of hepatitis, known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E¹. All 5 types of hepatitis are highly contagious and could even lead to death¹.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis A virus and is mainly transmitted through contaminated food².

Hepatitis B is serious and the most common infection of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis B virus³. Let’s look at some of the differences between hepatitis A and B below.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis A and B are quite similar^3,4. They include loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, joint pains, jaundice and grey-coloured bowel movements^2,4.

Severity of disease

Hepatitis B may lead to chronic liver disease — which could include liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer⁴.

Hepatitis A is typically less severe than hepatitis B⁵. However, the disease could last up to 6 months⁶. Without hospitalization, a patient may miss 15.5 days of work. If hospitalisation is required, patients are estimated to miss 33.2 days of work⁷.

In addition to this, 70 – 80% of those who get hepatitis A above the age of 14 have jaundice⁴.

How is it transmitted?

Hepatitis A is transmitted mainly through contaminated food or drinks and can also be transmitted from direct contact with an infected person².

Hepatitis B is transmitted through bodily fluids, a baby being born to an infected mother, sexual relations with an infected party, through the sharing of contaminated needles or syringes in drug use, or in the case of injury caused by a needlestick or other sharp instruments⁴.

Who’s at risk?

Those travelling to regions with intermediate or high risks of hepatitis A, sexual partners of those infected, kids attending a pre-school or day care which an infected child attends, and immediate family members of an infected person are at risk of contracting hepatitis A^4,8.

As for hepatitis B, those who are at risk are infants born to mothers with hepatitis B, drug users who share needles and syringes, sexual partners of infected persons and family members of infected persons, those travelling to countries with high risks of hepatitis B, healthcare workers exposed to blood on the job and haemodialysis patients⁴.

Treatment options

There’s no treatment for hepatitis A⁶. However, with bed rest and medication to relieve symptoms, hepatitis A patients usually recover within 2 weeks².

There are no medications available for those with acute hepatitis B either⁴. However, patients will receive medication to relieve symptoms³.

As for chronic hepatitis B, a liver specialist will monitor the patient for signs of progression to liver disease. Some patients are treated with antiviral medicines^3,4.

How to protect against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Vaccination is the best protection for hepatitis A.² People travelling to countries with a risk of hepatitis A, sexually active homosexual men⁴ and those with chronic liver disease are at high risk of hepatitis A⁹.

Proper hygiene habits such as washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet also aid in the prevention of hepatitis A².

Avoiding multiple sex partners, avoiding unprotected sex, and avoiding of sharing of needles, syringes and blades will help in the prevention of hepatitis B³. Hepatitis B immunization is also available to protect against this disease.³

Hepatitis B vaccine is part of the National Childhood Immunisation Programme but not hepatitis A vaccine.¹⁰ Therefore, some children may not have received hepatitis A vaccine.

Check with your doctor if you want to get your child protected against hepatitis A.

References:

1. World Health Organization; Hepatitis; available at www.who.int/topics/hepatitis/en/; last viewed 30/06/2014.
2. Health Promotion Board; Hepatitis A; available at www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/dandc-article/534; last viewed 30/06/2014.
3. Health Promotion Board; Hepatitis B; available at hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/dandc-article/536; last viewed 30/06/2014.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The ABCs of Hepatitis; 2012, August; Publication No. 21-1076
5. NYU Medical Centre; Hepatitis What is it?; Available at www.med.nyu.edu/sti/content21df.html?cid=3; last viewed 21/07/2014
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Hepatitis A FAQ for the Public; Available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/a/afaq.htm; last viewed 07/07/2014.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Prevention of Hepatitis A through active or passive immunization; Recommendations and Reports; 2006, May 17th;Volume 55; RR07; 1-23.
8. World Health Organisation; WHO/CDS/CSR/EDC/2000.7: Hepatitis A
9. Hepatitis A; Available at www.vaccines.gov/diseases/hepatitis_a/; last viewed 10/07/2014.
10. Health Promotion Board; Immunisation for primary school; Available at www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/630; last viewed 01/08/14.

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Also read: Vaccines that may cause fever in your child