Outlook

When treated, most people with acute hepatitis B get better and do not have lasting liver damage. But most babies who get hepatitis B at birth have a long-lasting infection, also called a chronic infection. The younger you are when you get hepatitis B, the higher your risk is of it becoming chronic.

Most people with acute hepatitis C also end up having a long-lasting infection. Both chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C may last a lifetime. Each infection raises the risk of serious health conditions, including liver scarring called cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. If you think you might have risk factors for or symptoms of hepatitis B or C, it's important to get a health checkup right away.

If you have questions about the differences between hepatitis B and hepatitis C, talk with your healthcare team.