1. Hepatitis – What is it?

Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis can be caused through a number of viruses, excessive use of drugs and/ or alcohol, or through an auto-immune response (where the body literally attacks itself).

The following pages will focus on three viral types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

2. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A (hep A) can be a severe illness from which you can take up to 3 months to recover. Symptoms may include: fevers, sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, dark urine and pale faeces (shit), yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

How is hep A transmitted? Hep A is present in faeces (shit) and bowel secretions. It is transmitted by:

• contact with surfaces, utensils, food and water, contaminated by shit then not washing your hands
• rimming (oral-anal sex)
• anal penetration with the fingers or penis and then contact with the mouth
• Seafood found in waterways contaminated by sewerage can also be a source of infection.

How can I prevent hep A infection? You can get a vaccine for hep A which should protect you from the virus for up to 10 years. A course of two injections over twelve months is usually required for complete protection against hep A. There is a charge for hep A vaccinations - check with your GP for details. If you're sexually active, or if you already have chronic hepatitis B or C infection, then it's a really good idea to get vaccinated. Some other useful tips to help prevent you getting hep A include washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water:

• after using the toilet
• after having sex
• before and after injecting
• after touching shit or anything associated with it (eg. a used condom)
• before preparing food or drink

3. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B (hep B) may develop into a chronic (long term) disease. Acute (short term) hep B may show no symptoms, or it can cause severe symptoms including: fatigue, fever, vomiting, weakness, jaundice. Hospitalisation may be necessary in some cases. Most people recover and will resolve the infection, however up to 10% go on to develop a chronic infection.

Chronic (long term) hep B is a much more serious type of illness. You may not know you have been infected for a long time, however serious conditions such as cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue) or liver cancer have been known to occur in about 20% of people with chronic hep B. People who are infected with the chronic form of the virus have the disease for life and may pass it on at anytime.

How is hep B transmitted? Hep B is found in just about all body fluids, but it is most commonly transmitted through infected blood, cum and vaginal fluids. This means hep B can be transmitted through:

• unsafe fucking (not using condoms for anal/ vaginal sex)
• sharing injecting equipment, toothbrushes, razor blades or sex toys
• oral sex including rimming
• skin piercing
• piss and shit

How can I prevent hep B infection? You can get hep B vaccinations which will provide protection from the virus for up to 5 years. A course of three injections over six months is required for complete protection against hep B. Other things you can do to keep yourself safe:

• If you inject drugs, make sure you use new, sterile syringes and equipment each time (don’t share)
• practise safe sex
• avoid sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, toothbrushes, tweezers and nail clippers
• use reputable body piercing and tattooing services that practice universal infection control

Combined hep A and hep B vaccinations are available, however, you must be sure to complete the course to provide protection. Speak to your health professional about your choices.