Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are different forms of hepatitis which have different effects on the liver and are transmitted in different ways. Below is information relating to Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, (Hep A or HAV) is a viral infection.
Symptoms
Around 50% of people infected with hep A have no symptoms at all.
There are many potential symptoms and these include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Exhaustion (feeling tired)
- Weight loss
- A change in the taste of fatty foods, tobacco and/or alcohol
The most well-known symptom of hepatitis is a yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice) which appears after infection and lasts for up to three weeks, you may be infectious during this period of time.
Transmission
Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food or drink and commonly occurs when sanitation is poor (poor hygiene).
Hep A can also be transmitted through contact with infected faeces. So although it is not normally a sexually transmitted infection, it can be transmitted through sucking and/or licking of the anus (oral to anal play).
Prevention
Maintain good personal hygiene – always wash your hands after using the toilet.
If you have been diagnosed with hep A, it is best to avoid any form of anal play which may involve traces of faeces getting into the mouth.
It is important to wash all areas of the body and any sex toys used, that may have come into contact with faeces after all forms of anal play.
Barriers such as glyde dams, gloves, condoms and female condoms can be used during all forms of sexual activity to reduce the risk of hepatitis A transmission.
Control
If you think you have been at risk, you can have a sexual health screen in your local STI clinic to receive treatment and to be examined for other possible infections.
Your sexual partner(s) may also need testing as they may be infected even if they do not have symptoms.
There is now a vaccine available against hepatitis A. Get a free vaccination from your local STI clinic.
The hep A vaccine is usually recommended to people who are travelling abroad to countries where sanitation is poor and/or hepatitis A is common.
Remember – Regular screening at your local STI clinic is recommended to maintain your sexual health.
Treatment
There is no treatment for hepatitis A. If you have been diagnosed with hep A, you should rest and avoid alcohol until your body clears the infection. This may take a few weeks.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B, (hep B or HBV) is a viral infection.
It is a serious infection but in the majority of cases a person fully recovers within 6 months of being diagnosed. In a small number of cases it can cause chronic liver disease.
Symptoms
Most people who are infected with hep B experience mild symptoms which progressively worsen.
This illness is characterised by:
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Darkened urine
- Stomach pains
- Pale faeces
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin
The most well-known symptom of hepatitis B is a yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice) which appears 4-6 weeks after infection; you are infectious during this period of time.
Transmission
Hep B is present in saliva, blood, semen, vaginal and anal fluid, faeces, urine.
The most common route of infection is sexual transmission particularly unprotected sexual activity including water sports (if urine gets in the eyes and mouth) and oral to anal play. If you are fingering both yourself and your partner or sharing sex toys, this could also lead to transmission.
Hepatitis B can also be transmitted by sharing works, (syringes, straws, spoons, filters, water, barrels and needles) with an infected person or receiving a tattoo/piercing with un-sterilised equipment. It may also be transmitted from mother to baby in the womb or during labour.
Environmental transmission is usually a result of contaminated food or drink and commonly occurs when sanitation is poor (poor hygiene).
Prevention
Maintain good hygiene – always wash your hands after using the toilet.
A hepatitis B vaccination is available from your doctor or local STI clinic. Getting this vaccine is a very practical step in maintaining sexual health.
It is administered in three shots:
- Shot 1 – Today
- Shot 2 – One month from today
- Shot 3 – Six months from today
You will need to return after the third injection for an antibody test to check that the vaccination process was successful. In some cases a fourth injection will be necessary.
Anyone who is into anal play or is an intravenous drug user, is particularly advised to get vaccinated.
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually also available to people who are travelling abroad to countries where sanitation is poor and/or hepatitis B is common.
Other groups of people who are advised to get vaccinated include health workers, carers, youth workers, teachers, cleaners, bar/restaurant staff, and anyone concerned about their general health, working in the public services.
Control
If you think you have been at risk, you can have a sexual health screen in your local STI clinic to receive treatment and to be examined for other possible infections.
There are two definitions of hepatitis B diagnosis:
- Acute: lasting less than six months and then the body spontaneously clears the virus. Most people will feel better after a few weeks, although they may feel tired and not have much energy for a few months.
- Chronic: when the infection last longer than six months.
Following a Hepatitis B diagnosis:
- 90% of people will clear the virus, develop life-long immunity, and no longer be infectious
- 10% of people will not clear the virus, remain infectious, and may develop chronic liver disease
Your sexual partner(s), or other people you may have regular contact with, (family members and children or housemates) may also need testing as they may be infected even if they do not have symptoms. If they do not receive a Hepatitis B diagnosis, they can be vaccinated.
Remember – Regular screening at your local STI clinic is recommended to maintain your sexual health.
Treatment
There is no treatment for hepatitis B but some people will be offered the hepatitis B vaccination to help recovery. You will need to build up your immune system in order to allow your body to overcome the virus.
If you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis B, you need complete rest initially which may require a week or two in hospital. Your recovery may take a few months; during this time you need to take it easy, eat really healthy food and avoid alcohol until your body clears the infection.
For the minority who remain carriers of the virus, there are now anti-viral drugs available, which are successful in suppressing the virus in some cases.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, (hep C or HCV) is a viral infection. There are many different types of hepatitis C.
Download our information leaflet – GOSHH HCV Leaflet 2017
Symptoms
It is a progressive infection which means it will take years from the initial infection before you experience symptoms.
This illness is characterised by:
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Darkened urine
- Stomach and/or lower back pains
- Pale faeces
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin
Transmission
Hepatitis C is present in blood and other body fluids.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through sharing drug using equipment with an infected person. This includes barrels, needles, toots, pipes, filters and spoons. It can also be transmitted through receiving a tattoo or piercing with un-sterilised equipment. Some people have been infected through medical care abroad or blood transfusions.
If you are having sex with an infected person, where blood may be present, then you may be able to contract hepatitis C.
You are at a higher risk for Hepatitis C that the general population if you have ever:
- Had medical care abroad
- Had a home tattoo or piercing
- Been in prison
- Experienced homelessness
- Snorted cocaine
- Injected drugs or steroids
- Had penetrative sex without a condom
- Has a sexual partner with any of this history
Prevention
Sharing works for intravenous drug use (injecting) with an infected person is the most commonly known route of transmission. This can be through re-using a needle (spike), barrel (body of) the syringe, or through contact with small amounts of the infected blood. Use a full
set of clean or sterilised equipment (works) when injecting. Use your own toot or straw for snorting and carry your own pipe for smoking.
Hepatitis C transmission has occurred when people received a blood transfusion or blood products which had not been adequately screened. This should no longer be the case in Ireland. The last known case of this happening was 29 years ago.
Barriers such as glyde dams, gloves, condoms and female condoms can be used during all forms of sexual activity to reduce the risk of hepatitis C transmission, especially when blood is present.
Control
If you think you have been at risk, you can have a sexual health screen in your local STI clinic to receive treatment and to be examined for other possible infections.
Your sexual partner(s) are advised to get tested for hep C if you have received a positive result.
If you are infected with hepatitis C you can use condoms, female condoms, glyde dams, gloves and other barriers during sexual activity to reduce the risk of transmission.
If you are an injecting drug user with a hepatitis C diagnosis then your drug use partner(s) are also advised to get tested which they can do at their local STI clinic.
Remember – Regular screening at your GP or local STI clinic is recommended to maintain your sexual health.
GOSHH provides rapid Hepatitis C tests. Go to our rapid testing page for more information.
Treatment
There is a course of tablets available that can cure most cases of hepatitis C in 12 weeks.
There is another course of treatment that takes 24 weeks or one that takes 48 weeks. Talk to your hepatitis specialist about treatment options.
Remember – regular screening at your local STI clinic is recommended to maintain your sexual health.