Hepatitis C
Getting it
The hepatitis C virus can be passed on:
- By sharing contaminated needles or other equipment for injecting drugs.
- By using unsterilised equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing.
- By unprotected penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) or sex which draws blood.
- By unprotected oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or from the genitals to the mouth).
- From an infected mother to her baby.
- Through blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested - all blood for transfusion in the UK is tested.
Signs and Symptoms
What to look out for
Some people may have no symptoms, but they can still pass on the virus.
Symptoms may include:
- A short, flu-like illness.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhoea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Jaundice (yellow tinge to eyes and skin).
- Itchy skin.
Long term Effects
Only about 20% of people infected with hepatitis C clear it from their body naturally. The other 80% remain infected and can pass it on to others.
After a number of years they could develop:
- Chronic hepatitis.
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Liver cancer.
A few people experience repeated attacks of a flu-like illness or severe tiredness.
What to do
Get Tested!
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
If you have a current infection, you will be referred to a specialist for further assessment.
Current treatments are not suitable for everybody but some patients can be successfully treated and will clear the virus. New drugs are currently being developed.
Some people find that some complementary therapies are helpful in controlling their symptoms, but there is currently no scientific evidence to support this.
If you test positive for hepatitis C it would be advisable to get your current sexual partner into the clinic for a check-up.
Hepatitis B
Getting it
The hepatitis B virus is very common worldwide. It is very infectious and can be passed on:
- By unprotected penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) or sex which draws blood.
- By oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or genitals to the mouth).
- By sharing needles or other drug injecting equipment contaminated with blood.
- By using equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing contaminated with blood.
- From an infected mother to her baby.
- Through a blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested - all blood for transfusion is tested in the UK.
Signs and Symptoms
What to look out for
Some people may have no symptoms, but they can still pass on the virus.
Symptoms may include:
- A short, flu-like illness
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellow tinge to eyes and skin)
- Itchy skin
Immunisation
Three injections of hepatitis B vaccine are given over a period of 3-6 months.
A blood test is then taken to check that you are immune.
You should then be immune for at least 10 years. It is important that babies of mothers with hepatitis B are immunised at birth to prevent them becoming infected.
What to do
Get Tested!
Hepatitis B can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
If you have had hepatitis B but your body has cleared it, you may be protected from future infection of hepatitis B.
If you are found to carry the active virus your health advisor will take your through your options.
Hepatitis A
Virus
Hepatitis is a virus that inflames the liver. There are several viruses that can cause hepatitis, these include
hepatitis A, B and C.
Getting it
The hepatitis A virus is found in faeces (poo) and can be passed on:
- If the virus comes into contact with a person's mouth through such things
as rimming (where a person uses their mouth and tongue to stimulate
another person's anus). - Sexual contact.
- Through eating or drinking contaminated food or water or swimming near
sewage outlets.
Signs and Symptoms
What to look out for
Some people may have no symptoms, but they can still pass on the virus.
Symptoms may include:
- A short, flu-like illness
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellow tinge to eyes and skin)
- Itchy skin
Immunisation
A single injection of hepatitis A vaccine in the arm will give you protection for one year.
A second booster injection at 6-12 months will protect you for up to 20 years.
What to do
Get Tested!
Hepatitis A can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
If you have had hepatitis A but your body has cleared it, you may be protected from future infection with hepatitis A.
You will be most infectious before symptoms occur and may remain infectious for a few days afterwards. Infection is usually mild, but some people may need to be admitted to hospital.
If you test positive for hepatitis A it would be advisable to get your current sexual partner into the clinic for a check-up.
