Sexually Transmitted Infections

HEPATITIS-B & HEPATITIS-C

There are six types of Hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E & G) and you can find out more about them through the British Liver Trust:
British Liver Trust
2 Southampton Road
Ringwood
BH24 1HY
Tel: 0870 770 8028 Fax: 01425 481335 Email: info@bristishlivertrust.org.uk
Web: http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/

What Is Hepatitis-B?

The word 'Hepatitis' refers to inflammation or swelling of the liver caused by a toxin or virus. 'Hepatitis B' is one such virus.

How is it passed on?

Hepatitis-B is carried in the blood (it is a "blood borne virus"), and transmission occurs when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected. This can happen through sexual intercourse, injecting drugs (sharing needles), maternal transmission (mother to baby), from contaminated household objects (e.g. razors, toothbrushes, etc that may have blood on them), during tattooing or body piercing (where equipment is not properly sterilised), occupational exposure (needle stick injuries), and during haemodialysis (a technique used in kidney failure to remove toxic substances from the bloodstream).

Are certain groups more at risk than others?

If you are a member of one or more of the following groups, you may be at greater risk of contracting Hepatitis-B: Individuals with multiple sexual partners, men who have sex with men, sexual contacts of an infected individual, injecting drug users, household contacts of chronically infected individuals, babies born to infected mothers, healthcare and public safety workers, haemodialysis patients (see above).

Do some countries have higher rates of Hepatitis-B carriage than others?

Yes. Hepatitis B is common in South-East Asia, the Middle and Far East, Southern Europe and Africa, so individuals with foreign sexual contacts have an increased risk of transmission.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis-B?

The virus can remain in the body for a lifetime and can then cause on-going liver damage, cirrhosis (a chronic progressive disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver cells with scar tissue), severe liver disease, and even liver cancer. In rare cases individuals who have developed severe acute Hepatitis-B, a liver transplant may be necessary.

How can I prevent Hepatitis B?

Use a condom when having sex. If you are an injecting drug user, do not share needles and only use needles that have been properly sterilised. Do not share toothbrushes or razors. If you are having a tattoo, make sure that the tattooist uses properly sterilised disposable needles. Blood spills should be cleaned up using diluted bleach, and all cuts and wounds should be covered by waterproof dressings.

Is it possible to be vaccinated against Hepatitis-B?

YES. It is possible to be vaccinated against both Hepatitis-B and another type of Hepatitis, Hepatitis-A. You can have either a combined Hep-A / Hep-B vaccine, or separate vaccines for each.

Tayside GUM Services also offer Hepatitis-B vaccination, or make an appointment with your GP. You can also telephone and discuss concerns/symptoms with a Health Adviser or nurse from the GUM clinic. GUM clinics are confidential and anonymous. To make an appointment at GUM call (Dundee) 01382 425542 or (Perth) 01738 473220

What Is Hepatitis-C?

The word 'Hepatitis' refers to inflammation or swelling of the liver caused by a toxin or virus. 'Hepatitis C' is one such virus

How is it passed on?

Hepatitis C is carried in the blood (it is a "blood borne virus"). Before screening of blood products in the UK began in 1991, blood transfusions were a common cause of Hepatitis C infection. Nowadays it is very difficult to acquire the virus through a blood transfusion. Today's main route of transmission is through sharing contaminated needles when injecting recreational drugs.

Hepatitis-C can also be transmitted through the sharing of contaminated toothbrushes, and razors, and through 'tattoo' needles where these have not been properly sterilised.

It is possible to acquire Hepatitis-C through sexual contact, but experts advise that this is rare. It is still however sensible to use condoms, as these will not only help protect you against the small risk of contracting Hepatitis-C, but against the greater risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?

The liver can cope well with Hepatitis-C, and consequently some people who carry the infection may never experience liver problems, whilst others may suffer from cirrhosis of the liver, a chronic progressive disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver cells.

Between 15-20% of people infected with Hepatitis-C clear their infection after 6 months. The remaining 80-85% of people infected with Hepatitis-C will carry the virus for life./ or until virus is removed with treatment.

What is the treatment for Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis-C can be treated, treatment options are based on a number of factors including which strain of the virus is present, how well the liver is functioning, whether cirrhosis is occurring, the age/sex of the patient, and duration of infection.

Of those people who undergo treatment, the cure rate is between 40 and 80 % depending on the strain of the virus. Response to treatment can also be affected by a persons sex, race, alcohol intake and liver scar tissue.

How can I prevent Hepatitis C?

If you are an injecting drug user, do not share needles, and only use needles that have been properly sterilised. Do not share toothbrushes or razors. If you are having a tattoo, make sure that the tattooist uses properly sterilised disposable needles. Blood spills should be cleaned up using diluted bleach, and all cuts and wounds should be covered by waterproof dressings. If you really have to re-use equipment then make sure you clean the equipment as well as possible. For needles and syringes flush twice with cold water, twice with thin household bleach and twice again with cold water.

Although the risk of contracting Hepatitis-C through sex is small, condoms will offer protection.

Is it possible to be vaccinated against Hepatitis C?

There is no vaccination for Hepatitis C, it is possible to be vaccinated against 'Hepatitis-A' and 'Hepatitis-B'. It is difficult to say how common Hepatitis-C is, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that there may be 170 million carriers worldwide.

Contact your GP for advice and/or to arrange a test.

Useful Links

www.hepctrust.org.uk/

www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home.aspx

www.heplinks.com/index.php