Patient's question:
I am 38 years old. Recently, I feel that my liver is very tired. I haven't had a good appetite, and at night, I always feel a sharp pain in my stomach. I went to a nearby hospital for a check-up and was told it was liver disease. They asked me to get an injection. Could you please tell me the difference between hepatitis A and hepatitis B?Doctor's answer:
The hepatitis A virus is an acute hepatitis virus, with a relatively rapid onset. Many patients infected with hepatitis A are asymptomatic, while symptomatic cases are self-limiting, meaning they can recover on their own. Hepatitis A can also be prevented through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. In contrast, the hepatitis B virus is a chronic virus that can cause persistent inflammation, potentially leading to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Generally, vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine can help develop surface antibodies to combat hepatitis B transmission.