This infection — the plain-language one-pager.

What is Hepatitis B and C?Diagnosis

HBV and HCV infect the liver and can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. HCV is now CURABLE with 8-12 weeks oral antivirals (>95%); HBV is preventable by vaccine and well-controlled with daily oral antivirals. USPSTF: one-time HCV screening for all adults 18-79; one-time HBV screening for all adults.

• Hepatitis C — spread through blood; often silent for decades. Treatment: 8-12 weeks pan-genotypic DAA cures >95%.
• Hepatitis B — spread through blood, sexual, vertical. Treatment: tenofovir or entecavir daily controls replication.
• HCC surveillance — liver US + AFP every 6 months in cirrhosis.
• Co-infections — HBV+HIV, HCV+HIV need integrated care.

Hepatitis C is curable in 8-12 weeks — get tested, get treatedKnow your plan

The DAA era changed HCV completely: oral, short, well-tolerated, >95% cure. Universal HCV screening for all adults 18-79 is now standard.

• HCV antibody screening once for adults 18-79.
• Confirmatory HCV RNA + genotype.
• Pan-genotypic DAA 8-12 weeks (Epclusa, Mavyret).
• Test of cure (SVR12).
• Continued HCC surveillance if cirrhosis after cure.

Your daily Force FieldLive It

• Get tested if not done.
• Vaccinate (HBV, HAV).
• If HCV positive: get to treatment; complete course; SVR12.
• If HBV positive: monitor q6mo; antiviral when criteria met.
• HCC surveillance if cirrhosis.
• Avoid alcohol.
• HIV + STI co-screening.
• Reduce reinfection risk if ongoing exposure (harm reduction, syringe services).
• Tell every clinician.
• Family + sexual partner testing.

Red flags — call nowAction

• Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable symptom worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or maintenance therapy; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
• Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, lipid follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.