Hepatitis B and C Virus Transmission and Characteristics

Statement (b) is not correct. Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C have vaccines available. A highly effective Hepatitis B vaccine has been widely used since the 1980s and is part of routine childhood immunization in many countries. A Hepatitis C vaccine is less widely available but has been developed. Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, DOES have a vaccine—the statement is reversed. Statement (a) is correct: Both HBV and HIV are transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and vertical transmission. Statement (c) is correct: The global burden of HBV and HCV infection (approximately 2 billion and 71 million people respectively) far exceeds HIV infection (~40 million people). Statement (d) is correct: Both HBV and HCV can cause chronic asymptomatic infections lasting many years before symptoms appear. This asymptomatic carrier state is particularly important for transmission. > Hepatitis B vaccine = Available and widely used since 1980s (similar to Hepatitis C). Answer: b.