Hepatitis A, B and C

 

Introduction

Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. "Hepa" refers to the liver and "itis" means inflammation (as in arthritis, dermatitis, and pancreatitis).

 

Inflammation of the liver - hepatitis - has several possible causes, including toxins and chemicals, diseases of the immune system, and germs (microorganisms) such as viruses.  Three viruses that can attack the liver are hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

 

Gay and bisexual men have a higher risk of becoming infected with these viruses, all of which can be transmitted sexually.

  • Hepatitis A. Most cases result from contaminated food or water, but it can be spread through sex where any oral contact with feces (shit) is involved (e.g., "rimming"). To learn more about hepatitis A, check out information from MayoClinic.com and WebMD.com.

  • Hepatitis B. Can be spread through contact with blood or semen, similar to HIV.  However, HBV is easier to pass along than HIV. To learn more about hepatitis B, check out information from MayoClinic.com and WebMD.com

  • Hepatitis C. Most cases result from blood-to-blood contact.  It is a common infection among injection drug users (IDUs) who share shooting equipment.  Research has also found that it can be spread sexually, possibly through “rough sex” in which exposure to blood (even a small amount) is a possibility.  To learn more about hepatitis C, check out information from MayoClinic.com and WebMD.com.

People who have tattoos, including many LGBTs, are two to three times more likely to have been infected with a hepatitis virus. 

 

HAV, HBV, and HCV can all cause short-term (acute) symptoms like nausea, fever, body aches, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and pale stool within the weeks following infection.  In rare cases, acute hepatitis can be fatal.

 

While hepatitis A is almost always cleared from the body, hepatitis B and C can stay active in the liver for many years – they can become long-term (chronic) infections.  This can lead to serious liver damage (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

 

The Bad

Hepatitis A, B, and C can make you very sick, either as an acute infection or as a chronic infection.  There is no guaranteed cure for chronic hepatitis B or C.  Hepatitis B may require many years of daily medication and the year-long treatment for hepatitis C has many side effects. 

 

Liver failure, caused by hepatitis B and C, is also one of the most common causes of death among HIV-positive people in the United States.  Treating hepatitis B or C can be difficult in HIV-positive people.  Similarly, correctly treating HIV can be difficult if a person also has hepatitis B or C. Click here to read more about HIV and hepatitis.  

 

The Good

Hepatitis A, B, and C are preventable! 

 

Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B.  Safer sex is effective at reducing the risk of all three infections, and is currently the only means of prevention for the very serious hepatitis C virus.

 

There are also medications available to treat – and sometimes cure – hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  However, these medications can be difficult to take and have numerous side effects.

 

Why it’s LGBT

Gay and bisexual men are at an increased risk of being infected, through sexual activity, with the viruses that cause hepatitis.  Also, men who have tattoos have a two to three time greater chance of hepatitis infection.

 

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B is also a major concern for people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

What to Do

Talk with your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.  It is recommended that gay and bisexual men receive these vaccines.  And keep up with the safer sex since it is the only effective means of preventing the very serious hepatitis C virus.  If you plan to get a tattoo, make certain it is from a licensed tattoo place – and be sure to ask about sterilization procedures.

 

Tools

Your healthcare provider can order a number of important blood tests to help you learn the following:

  • Have you ever been infected with hepatitis A, B, or C? 
  • If no, is it a good time to begin receiving the vaccinations against hepatitis A and hepatitis B?
  • If yes, is the infection still active or has it been cleared from the body?
  • If the infection is still active, is it “acute” infection or “chronic” infection?
Depending on the test results, additional laboratory testing – including blood tests measuring liver function and the amount of the hepatitis virus in the blood – along with other exams may be necessary.