Hepatitis B and C, explained

Hepatitis gets far less attention in sex-ed content than the more commonly discussed STIs, despite being genuinely relevant — both B and C affect the liver, can be sexually transmitted, and can cause serious damage silently over years. They're also genuinely different from each other in one important way most people don't know.

Hepatitis B

A viral infection transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, including sexually. In adults, it often clears on its own, but it can become a chronic, lifelong infection for some people, particularly if acquired earlier in life. The single most important fact here: an effective vaccine exists and is often part of routine childhood immunization — adults who weren't vaccinated earlier can typically still get a catch-up vaccination, worth asking a doctor about directly.

Hepatitis C

Also a viral infection affecting the liver, transmitted primarily through blood exposure (including shared needles) and, less commonly than hepatitis B, through sexual contact — though sexual transmission risk is higher in certain contexts, including among some groups of men who have sex with men. Left untreated, it can become chronic and cause serious long-term liver damage.

The key difference

Why testing matters here specifically

Both can be asymptomatic for years while quietly affecting the liver, which is exactly why testing based on risk factors — not waiting for symptoms — is the standard recommendation, similar to the logic covered throughout our STI testing timing guide. A doctor can advise on whether testing or vaccination makes sense for your specific situation.