What it is
The liver is a large organ that helps process nutrients, filter the blood, and break down many substances, including medications. Liver disease is a broad term for conditions that interfere with how the liver works. In older adults, causes can include viral hepatitis, fatty liver, long-term alcohol use, medication effects, and other conditions.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is generally acute and self-limited, meaning it often resolves on its own. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can become chronic infections, which means they may last for years and, in some people, affect the liver over time.
Some older adults live with hepatitis B or C without knowing it, because chronic infections can be quiet for a long time. Certain groups may have a higher chance of exposure, including people born in particular birth cohorts, people who received blood transfusions before 1992, people who have injected drugs, and people born in regions where hepatitis B or C is more common. Being in one of these groups says nothing about a person's character. It is simply context a clinician may ask about.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, viral hepatitis is identified through conversations about history and risk factors, followed by blood tests ordered by a licensed clinician. Screening for hepatitis B and C has often been discussed with adults in certain age groups or risk categories. Whether it makes sense for you is a question for your own doctor.
Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccination, and clinicians commonly discuss vaccine status with patients. Whether a vaccine is appropriate depends on a person's health history, so it is best raised with a licensed provider rather than decided from a web page.
Hepatitis C can often be treated and cleared with modern antiviral medication, and hepatitis B is effectively managed with antiviral therapy and monitoring. These are prescription medicines, and only a licensed clinician can decide whether any of them fit a given person after an evaluation. Older adults often take several medications, so doctors typically review everything a person uses, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
How the right doctor may help
The right doctor, such as a primary care physician, a gastroenterologist, a hepatologist, or an infectious disease specialist, may help you understand what is going on with your liver and what the next steps could be. A first visit often includes a review of your health history, medications, alcohol use, vaccinations, and any past transfusions or other exposures. Honest answers help the clinician, and a good provider will ask without judgment.
A visit may also include a physical exam and blood tests, and sometimes imaging to look at the liver. Your doctor may explain results in plain language and discuss whether monitoring, vaccination, or medication could be options. Nothing is guaranteed, and what is right for one person may not be right for another.
It can help to bring a list of medications and a family member or friend, and to write questions ahead of time. You might ask: Should I be screened for hepatitis B or C? Am I up to date on hepatitis vaccines? Could any of my medications or supplements affect my liver? What symptoms should prompt me to call you? You can find licensed providers through Providers.plus, and the Hepatitis in seniors resources on our network may also be useful.
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect each other. Living with a long-term health condition, or worrying about test results, can bring anxiety, low mood, or poor sleep, and those can in turn affect energy, appetite and daily routines. Older adults may also be managing other changes at the same time, such as retirement, loss, or reduced mobility.
Many people find that a whole-person approach feels supportive alongside medical care. Somatic Experiences offers body-based support for people who want to explore how stress is held in the body, and Therapists.plus connects people with talk therapy for worry, coping and life transitions. These are complements to, not replacements for, care from a licensed doctor.
Keep in mind
- This page is educational and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Licensed professionals should guide any decisions about testing, vaccination, or medication.
- Hepatitis B and C can be quiet for years, so talking with a clinician about screening is more reliable than waiting for symptoms.
- For emergencies such as confusion, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or significant yellowing of the skin or eyes with fever, call 911 right away. This site is not for emergencies.
- If you are in emotional crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of liver disease in older adults?
There is no single cause, and it varies from person to person. Common contributors include viral hepatitis, fatty liver, long-term alcohol use, and medication effects. A licensed clinician can look at your own history and tests to understand what applies to you.
Can older adults get hepatitis?
Yes, adults of any age can have or acquire hepatitis. Some older adults have had hepatitis B or C for many years without knowing it, because chronic infections can be quiet. A doctor can talk with you about whether testing makes sense.
Is hepatitis treatment available for seniors?
Yes, hepatitis treatment may be an option for many older adults, depending on the type of hepatitis and their overall health. Hepatitis C can often be treated and cleared with modern antiviral medication, and hepatitis B is effectively managed with antiviral therapy and monitoring. Only a licensed clinician can decide what is appropriate after an evaluation.
What are the signs of liver problems in older adults?
Possible signs include unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Many liver conditions cause no noticeable symptoms early on, and these signs can have many causes. Talk with a doctor about any concerns, and call 911 for severe symptoms such as confusion, severe abdominal pain, or vomiting blood.
Should older adults be screened for hepatitis B and C?
Screening is a conversation to have with a licensed clinician, who can consider your age, birth cohort, and history. Factors such as a blood transfusion before 1992, past injection drug use, or being born in a region where hepatitis is more common may be part of that discussion. Asking about it is reasonable even if you feel well.
Are there hepatitis vaccines for older adults?
Vaccines exist for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and they are regulated by the FDA. Whether either is appropriate for you depends on your health history and vaccination record, so ask your provider. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Educational resource. Hep Programs shares general information and connects people with independent doctors. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.