The main difference between the viruses is how they are spread, the way they cause liver damage and the effects they have on health. The commonest hepatitis viruses associated with injecting drug use are B and C. Hepatitis C is more infectious than HIV but not as infectious as hepatitis B. Most people recover from hepatitis B and there is a vaccination to prevent infection. An acute illness means a short, sharp illness which may be severe but most people recover within a few weeks with no lasting effects. A chronic illness is one that lasts a long time, possibly for the rest of life. Hepatitis C remains chronic in most but it affects people quite differently.
Many people have no symptoms and are often unaware they have the virus.
Symptoms, when present, can be vague. Some people experience extreme tiredness and feel unwell. A few have a short flu like illness, occasionally with nausea, vomiting and jaundice, but this is unusual. Some of the symptoms may come and go and it is not unusual for people to be diagnosed as having ME or chronic fatigue syndrome. It is not known why some people are successful at fighting off the disease.