These sexually transmitted viruses can cause liver damage

HEPATITIS A-B-C

HEPATITIS A

• Viral infection contracted from contaminated water or food
• Can also be passed on through sexual contact such as rimming (oral-anal contact)
• It causes inflammation of the liver resulting in an acute, debilitating illness that can last for several weeks
• Once recovered there are usually no long-term effects
• You developed lifelong immunity post infection
• There is a Hepatitis A vaccine and we recommended for all men who have sex with men (MSM), travellers and workers in food preparation

SYMPTOMS

• Incubation period 15- 45 days
• Flu like illness, tiredness, joint pains, right upper abdominal pain, followed by jaundice, nausea and extreme fatigue
• The symptoms can last up to 3 months and can be very debilitating
• Most children, and about 50% of adults, will have no symptoms

HEPATITIS C

• A viral blood borne disease, passed on through contact with infected blood
• Can also be sexually transmitted, typically unprotected or traumatic sex (more common in MSM populations)
• Causes either acute or chronic infection
• Chronic infection leads to scarring (fibrosis) of the liver, cirrhosis, liver failure and or liver cancer

SYMPTOMS

• None or very mild symptoms after initial infection
• Some people will clear the acute infection spontaneously after a few months
• Usually takes decades to develop the complications and effects of liver scarring
• No immunity develops after infection, so It is possible to get reinfected with the same or a different strain
• For those who do not clear the virus develop a chronic infection