In addition to the differences in replication method, transmission risk is higher with Hep B as it can be sexually transmitted, whereas generally not with Hep C. The large majority of adult patients exposed to Hep B clear it, whereas with Hep C adults who are exposed and clear are the minority. Hep B exposure during childhood is more difficult to clear and often becomes chronic. Also, as you probably know, currently there is vaccination against Hep B but none against Hep C.
They both affect the liver and can cause cirrhosis, but I know Hep B also carries a higher risk for liver cancer than does Hep C. My understanding is that a large majority of hep C patients can clear the virus with treatment, but not the case with Hep B, which is more difficult to treat (though I know very little about what that entails). Hope that helps. ~eureka
they belong to 2 separate families hep b is in the family hepadnaviridae hep c is in the flaviviridae in replication hep b dna is reverse transcribed into rna then back to dna the hep c virus is a single strand rna + polarity in hiv replication the virus rna is reverse transcribed to dna then back to rna
there are many other differences as well as similarities i think their genetic makeup accounts for most differences
HCV is an RNA virus, HBV a DNA virus. In that respect comparing the two to flu vs. HIV isn't that inaccurate. HBV is a more complex disease and tx. It's also rare for it to become chronic and has a higher rate of the body clearing it on its own but a much poorer response to current txs. when it does become chronic. Hope that helps.