If you’ve ever seen ads while binging TV shows, you’ve probably landed on a commercial for a vaccine for hepatitis. It’s a word we hear often, but what is it? If you don’t know, you’re not alone. Many women hear about hepatitis in passing but don’t really know what it is or how it affects them. So, we’re going to give you a short intro into hepatitis, what it is, how you contract it, and the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Here’s everything you need to know about the ABCs of hepatitis and why it matters for your health and future.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virus. The most common types are A, B, and C. It can range from a short illness to a serious, lifelong condition, especially if it goes untreated.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes inflammation in your liver. It’s a little TMI, but it’s found in the stool (yes, poop) of infected individuals. It is commonly spread through contaminated food, water, or improper hygiene. That means it can spread when someone doesn’t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then prepares food. So, if your roommate or even a restaurant chef skips handwashing and then cooks your dinner—yep, that could be how Hep A is passed along. Gross, but preventable!
The good news? It’s usually short-term and doesn’t lead to long-term liver damage. Symptoms of Hep A may include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Some women experience no symptoms at all!
Thankfully, there is a safe and effective vaccine for Hepatitis A, but it’s also important to practice good hygiene by always washing your hands especially when preparing food.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is different from A in that it can be much more serious. While some people fully recover from Hepatitis B, chronic Hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other severe liver damage.
Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids. It’s most spread through sexual contact, sharing needles, or for women, through childbirth from a pregnant mother to a baby. This is why it’s important for women to get tested when pregnant to prevent transmission. Some women never feel symptoms, while others might have fatigue, dark urine, joint pain, or jaundice. There is a highly effective vaccine for Hepatitis B that’s often administered at birth.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C (often called Hep C) is known as the silent infection. It’s spread mostly through blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles or unsterilized tattoo tools. Another reminder to make sure any tattoo you get is at a legitimate tattoo shop, no matter how nice the guy in your friend’s basement is! Sexual transmission of Hep C is possible but uncommon, and risk increases with co-infections (like HIV or another STI) or high-risk sexual practices. The CDC does note that it’s less efficiently spread through sex than Hepatitis B.
Hep C is one of the most underdiagnosed, or unnoticed viruses of the three because many people show no symptoms at all. When they do show up, symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, and jaundice.
The good news? Hep C can be cured with antiviral medications. Treatments today are simpler, shorter, and more effective than ever before. Current direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure over 95% of Hep C infections, usually within 8–12 weeks. Still, if you’re unsure whether you could have contracted Hep C at any point through your life, getting tested is a simple way to ensure your long-term health.
What You Can Do About Hepatitis
Knowledge is power and when it comes to your health, it can save you. Here are a few simple steps every woman can take to stay safe:
Get vaccinated: Vaccines for A and B are safe, effective, and often covered by insurance. It is important to note that there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had them, ask your doctor or check your immunization records.
Practice safe sex or abstinence: Using protection, abstaining from sex, and getting tested regularly is key to preventing the spread of Hepatitis B and C.
Be smart with needles: Never share needles, whether for medical use, tattoos, or piercings. Always choose licensed, sterile environments.
Wash your hands: It sounds basic, but good hygiene helps prevent Hepatitis A.
Get tested: If you’re pregnant, have ever used injectable drugs, or just want peace of mind, ask your healthcare provider for a hepatitis screening. It’s a quick way to protect your health and your future.
Taking Steps Toward a Healthier You
Hepatitis may sound scary, but with the right information, it doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s understanding the differences between types A, B, and C, or just knowing how to protect yourself, you’re already taking steps toward better health.
As women, we juggle a lot, but your health is worth keeping at the top of your list. A quick conversation with your doctor or a visit to a local clinic could be the first step in preventing or catching hepatitis early. You deserve to feel strong, supported, and safe in your body. You’re practicing self-care by staying informed. Way to go, girl!
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