Treatment differences

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are treated differently. One can be cured but the other can't.

Hepatitis C can be cured with medicines called antivirals. A newer type called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) stops the virus from making more copies in the body. Most people with hepatitis C who get this medicine are rid of the virus after a few months of treatment. You are considered cured when there is no sign of the virus in your blood after 12 weeks.

Hepatitis B is different because there is no cure. But antiviral medicines called nucleoside-nucleotide analogs may be given to help manage your symptoms. The medicines also can help stop further harm to your liver. You may need to take these hepatitis B medicines for life.

If you have both infections, you may get the different types of hepatitis medicines at the same time. It's possible to cure hepatitis C while you have hepatitis B. But your healthcare team may do extra tests to watch for changes and keep your liver safe. Talk with your healthcare team about the best hepatitis medicine for you.