What is the difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C? Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are different types of virus that damage your liver. They both spread through blood. But people get these two types of viruses in different ways. The treatment for them varies too. Hepatitis B spreads through blood and some body fluids. Most people get hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood. You can also get hepatitis B if you have sex without a condom or have unsafe medical procedures. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, but you can't get rid of it completely. There is treatment that works really well. This lowers the amount of damage to your liver. Hepatitis C spreads through the blood. Most people in Australia get hepatitis C by taking drugs with a needle. But you can also get it by getting a tattoo by someone who is not a proper tattoo artist. You can get it as well through unsafe medical procedures and vaccination programs, or anal sex without a condom. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. But there are medicines that work well to get rid of it. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver disease and liver cancer. Find out more about hepatitis B Find out more about hepatitis C References Hepatitis B, All Good, ASHM Hepatitis C, All Good, ASHM Updated 14 March 2023 Manage Cookie Preferences