Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Physician, Doctor Bangkok. Last reviewed: July 2026
Hepatitis B and C are viruses that infect the liver and often cause no symptoms for years. Both can spread through blood and sex. A simple blood test detects them, hepatitis B has an effective vaccine, and modern treatments can control hepatitis B and cure most hepatitis C.
Hepatitis B and C are two infections I think every expat and long-term traveller in Bangkok should understand. Both affect the liver, both can be silent for a very long time, and both are more common in this part of the world than many newcomers expect. The reassuring news is that we can test for them easily, prevent hepatitis B with a vaccine, and treat both effectively.
This guide explains how these viruses spread, why symptoms are so often absent, how testing works, and what treatment involves. Because the liver can be quietly damaged over years without any warning signs, knowing your status is one of the most useful things you can do for your long-term health.
What are hepatitis B and C?
Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver, and hepatitis B and C are two different viruses that cause it. Both can lead to long-term (chronic) infection that slowly damages the liver over many years. If left unchecked, this can eventually cause scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. Catching and managing these infections early greatly reduces that risk.
How they spread
Both viruses are carried in blood and certain body fluids, but they differ in how easily they pass on.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B spreads through blood and sexual contact, and can pass from mother to baby at birth. It is efficiently transmitted, which is why it is common in many regions, including parts of Asia. Sharing items that may carry blood, such as needles, or unsterile tattooing and piercing, can also transmit it.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or exposure to unsterile medical or cosmetic equipment. Sexual transmission is possible but generally less common than with hepatitis B, though the risk is higher in certain situations.
Why symptoms are often silent
Many people with hepatitis B or C feel completely well for years, which is exactly what makes these infections dangerous. When symptoms do appear, they can include tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Because these signs are non-specific or absent, the only reliable way to know is a blood test. Many people are diagnosed only during routine screening or a general health check.
Testing for hepatitis in Bangkok
Testing is done with a straightforward blood sample. Different blood markers show whether you have a current infection, have cleared a past infection, or are protected by vaccination. We often include hepatitis testing as part of a broader STD and sexual-health screen, and it pairs naturally with HIV testing. If an infection is found, further tests help assess the health of your liver and guide treatment decisions.
Treatment and the hepatitis B vaccine
Treatment differs between the two. Chronic hepatitis B cannot usually be cured, but it can be controlled very effectively with long-term antiviral medication that protects the liver and reduces complications. Hepatitis C, by contrast, can now be cured in the great majority of people with a course of modern antiviral tablets. The specific medications, duration, and follow-up are decided at consultation and, where needed, in coordination with a liver specialist.
Prevention is just as important. There is a safe and highly effective vaccine against hepatitis B, which we recommend for many expats and travellers who are not already immune. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, so avoiding blood exposure and using protection during sex remain the key preventive steps.
When to get tested or see a doctor
Consider testing if you have never been screened, if you have had unprotected sex or a new partner, if you have had a tattoo, piercing, or medical procedure where sterility was uncertain, or if you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. See a doctor promptly if you notice jaundice, persistent tiredness, dark urine, or ongoing abdominal discomfort. Because these infections can be silent for years, testing is worthwhile even when you feel entirely well. You can contact the clinic to arrange testing or vaccination.
Want a hepatitis B and C test or the hepatitis B vaccine? Our Sukhumvit walk-in clinic offers confidential, non-judgemental blood testing and vaccination for expats and travellers. Visit our STD testing hub to learn more.
Frequently asked questions
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes. Modern antiviral tablets cure hepatitis C in the great majority of people, usually over a course of several weeks. Early diagnosis makes treatment and monitoring more straightforward.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B and C?
There is a safe, effective vaccine for hepatitis B, which we recommend for many people who are not already immune. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C yet, so prevention relies on avoiding blood exposure and using protection.
Can I have hepatitis without any symptoms?
Yes, very much so. Both hepatitis B and C often cause no symptoms for years while quietly affecting the liver. This is why a blood test is the only reliable way to know your status.
Should I get tested if I have lived in Asia for a while?
It is a sensible idea. Hepatitis B in particular is more common in parts of Asia, and many expats have never been screened or are unsure of their vaccination status. A single blood test can clarify things.
How do I know if I am already vaccinated against hepatitis B?
A blood test can check whether you are immune, whether from past vaccination or a previous infection. If you are not protected, we can arrange the vaccine course at consultation.
Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan
Physician, Doctor Bangkok
Dr. Ponlawat practises at Doctor Bangkok, a private medical clinic in central Bangkok. He regularly arranges hepatitis testing and vaccination for the expat community and helps patients understand their liver health, coordinating specialist care when treatment is needed.
Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan is a physician at Doctor Bangkok, a private clinic in central Bangkok. He sees expats, residents, and medical tourists for general medicine, wellness consultations, and IV therapy. His focus is straightforward, evidence-based care delivered in plain language.
