What everyone should know about the liver

• Hepatitis B has a vaccine

  The vaccine is safe and protects for the long term. Babies should get their first dose as soon as possible after birth.

• Hepatitis C can be cured

  A course of tablets, usually taken for two to three months, clears the virus in most people.

• You can feel fine and still have it

  Hepatitis often causes no symptoms until the liver is badly damaged. A blood test is the only way to know.

• It spreads through blood and body fluids

  From mother to baby at birth, through unscreened blood, shared sharp objects such as razors and needles, and unprotected sex. It does not spread through sharing food or hugging.

• Alcohol and body weight matter too

  Heavy drinking and excess body fat can both scar the liver over time, even without a virus.

• See a doctor if you notice these

  Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, a swollen belly, or lasting tiredness and loss of appetite.

This page gives general health information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your history.