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Hepatitis
Hepatitis treatment available online today
Request treatment for hepatitis online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief today. Get a new prescription to treat hepatitis or refill an existing prescription today.*
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Antiviral or immune-suppressing drugs may be prescribed*
Hepatitis can be acute or chronic
Treatment varies depending on the type and severity
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how you can save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of hepatitis. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Learn about hepatitis
Hepatitis is a general term that describes liver inflammation. It can be caused by viral infections (viral hepatitis), alcohol, medications, and health conditions. Viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis.
Depending on its course, hepatitis can be acute or chronic. While acute hepatitis involves sudden flare-ups, chronic hepatitis is a long-term condition that causes progressive liver damage.
There are several types of hepatitis:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a food-borne illness caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can be spread through contaminated water and unwashed food. It's easy to transmit, especially in children, but rarely causes liver damage.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood, needles, syringes, or body fluids. As a chronic infection, hepatitis B can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infection of the hepatitis C virus. It can be transmitted through infected blood or from mother to newborn during childbirth. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C can also lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B virus infection. The hepatitis D virus causes liver inflammation, but a person cannot contract the hepatitis D virus without a hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. Hepatitis E is primarily found in poor sanitation areas where fecal matter can contaminate the water supply.
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis happens when the immune system mistakes the liver as harmful and attacks it. This causes liver inflammation, which can affect liver function.
Hepatitis causes
Most people with hepatitis develop the condition due to a viral infection. However, other factors can cause hepatitis, including:
Excessive alcohol consumption (alcoholic hepatitis)
Medication misuse
Exposure to toxins
Certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune conditions
Hepatitis symptoms
If you're living with chronic hepatitis, you may not show any symptoms of hepatitis until you've experienced liver damage. In contrast, people with acute hepatitis typically present symptoms shortly after contracting the virus.
Common symptoms of hepatitis include:Abdominal pain, swelling, and/or tenderness
Fatigue and discomfort
Jaundice
Dark-colored urine
Light-colored stools
Nausea
How to treat hepatitis
Treatment for hepatitis varies depending on the type and severity of hepatitis infection.
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is an acute infection and generally requires no treatment.
Hepatitis B: If you have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor will prescribe antiviral medications to treat the infection. Treatment also requires regular medical evaluations and monitoring.
Hepatitis C: Antiviral medications can treat both acute and chronic forms of hepatitis C. If you have chronic hepatitis C, your doctor may prescribe multiple antiviral drugs.
Hepatitis D: The main treatment for hepatitis D is pegylated interferon-alpha. This medication isn't recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage, psychiatric conditions, or autoimmune disorders.
Hepatitis E: Hepatitis E is often acute and resolves on its own.
Autoimmune hepatitis: Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing drugs to treat autoimmune hepatitis.
Hepatitis medication
Hepatitis medication is often required to treat chronic hepatitis. Depending on the type and severity of your infection, your doctor may recommend:
Antiviral medication, such as direct-acting antivirals
Combination drugs
Corticosteroids
Immune-suppressing drugs
How to prevent hepatitis
To prevent hepatitis infection, children—or anyone who has not been previously vaccinated—should get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
There are currently no vaccines against hepatitis C, D, or E. However, you can reduce your risk of hepatitis infection by:
Not sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes
Not touching spilled blood
Using barrier methods, such as condoms, with sexual partners
When to see a doctor for hepatitis
If you're experiencing any symptoms of hepatitis, talk to your doctor. The earlier you talk to your healthcare provider, the earlier you can start treatment for hepatitis.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Extreme dizziness
Chest discomfort
Changes in your vision
Swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles
Diarrhea for over 48 hours or blood in stool
Hepatitis treatment FAQs
Is there treatment for hepatitis?
While there's no specific treatment for acute hepatitis, treatment options and medications are available for chronic hepatitis. Depending on the type of infection, your doctor may prescribe antivirals or immune-suppressing drugs.
What is the best treatment for hepatitis?
The best treatment will depend on the type and severity of hepatitis. While most forms of acute hepatitis clear up on their own, chronic hepatitis often requires treatment with antiviral or immune-suppressing drugs.
Which medication is used in the treatment of hepatitis?
Antiviral medication is most commonly used to treat chronic hepatitis. However, hepatitis treatment will depend on the type and severity of the infection.
Can hepatitis be cured or treated?
Most cases of hepatitis are viral infections, which clear up on their own. There's no cure for chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis B, but treatment can help people with hepatitis manage the condition.
Can hepatitis be treated successfully with antibiotics?
No, antibiotics cannot treat hepatitis. Hepatitis is primarily caused by viral infections, and your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications depending on the type and severity of the condition.
How long can a hepatitis B patient live without treatment?
Hepatitis B is a "silent disease" that can live in your body for over 50 years before you present symptoms.
Can hepatitis C go away without treatment?
Yes, acute hepatitis B infection can go away on its own without treatment. However, in most cases, the virus remains in the body for longer than 6 months and turns into a chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems and requires treatment with antiviral medication.
3 simple steps to request treatment for hepatitis today
Step 1
Book a hepatitis treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your hepatitis symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up prescription for hepatitis treatment.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Related conditions to hepatitis
HIV & AIDS
While hepatitis causes liver inflammation, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Both HIV and hepatitis B are transmitted through body fluids, while hepatitis C is transmitted through blood.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an STD that causes infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. If left untreated, it can lead to joint pain, liver inflammation, and brain damage.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It starts as a sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. It can spread via skin or mucous membrane contact with the sore.
Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection that causes sores around the mouth and/or genitals. It can be spread from skin contact with infected areas, often during sexual contact.
Hepatitis treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request hepatitis treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Hepatitis treatment resources
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is Viral Hepatitis? Accessed on July 7, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/abc/index.htm#:~:text=Hepatitis%20means%20inflammation%20of%20the,medical%20conditions%20can%20cause%20hepatitis.
John Hopkins Medicine. Hepatitis. Accessed on July 7, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hepatitis
UC San Diego Health. About Hepatitis B. Accessed on July 7, 2022. https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/gastro/areas-expertise/liver-center/hepatitis-b/pages/about-hepatitis-b.aspx
PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.