Hepatitis B
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus which attacks the liver.
There are other types of hepatitis which can produce a similar illness, but hepatitis B is the most common among gay men and can have potentially serious long term effects.
How is it transmitted?
Like the HIV virus, the Hep B virus is present in all body fluids of someone who is infected. But the Hep B virus is more infectious than HIV and as well as being present in blood and semen (cum), it can also be passed on through saliva and from wet kissing (there is a greater risk if you have bleeding gums or mouth ulcers).
One of the most common methods of transmission is through sex. The Hep B virus is known to be 9 times more efficiently transmitted than HIV and that is why it remains a real threat to the health of gay men.
Because it is much easier to catch than HIV, it is important to take care with personal hygiene. For instance, the Hep B virus can remain infectious in dried blood for several days - so don’t share toothbrushes, razors, dildoes or needles.
The Hep B virus cannot be caught from coughs and sneezes - or door knobs - or toilet seats. And it’s very unlikely that you could get Hepatitis B from sharing a glass or a cigarette.
What are the symptoms?
Often nothing!
Many people have just mild flu-like symptoms. Others may feel very tired and physically sick. Some may experience jaundice when their urine turns dark and their eyes and skin turn yellow. And some may even need to be admitted to hospital.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease. It can make someone very ill, needing many months to recover - it may even prove fatal in some cases.
What is the treatment?
Unfortunately, once you have caught Hepatitis B there is no treatment that is guaranteed to work. All the medical staff can usually do is to advice you to rest and avoid alcohol and fatty foods.
What are the long term effects?
Although most people get rid of Hepatitis B after 6 months or so, about 10% of people who have become infected become carriers for life. This means that they remain infectious to others and may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer later in life.
What is Hepatitis B vaccine?
Vaccination against Hepatitis B works in about 95% of cases. It can be less effective in older people and people who are HIV positive. However, if you are HIV positive you can still safely have the vaccine.
Vaccination will not give you Hepatitis B.
Will the vaccination hurt?
Some people may get a sore arm but apart from that there are no serious side effects.
For the vaccination to work you must have the full course. This is either:
- 3 injections over 6 months, or:
- 3 injections over 3 months with a booster after one year.
Many clinics now offer two injections over one month. You may also want to ask about the combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine. (Hepatitis A is a less serious -- although still unpleasant -- infection which may be caused by rimming or fingering.)
You should also have a blood test at the end of the course to check that the vaccine has worked. You must complete the course to ensure full protection.
How do I get vaccinated?
There are a number of places where you can have the vaccination:
Your doctor can prescribe it on the NHS if you say that you are gay otherwise you have to pay for it. If you do not want your doctor to know that you are gay (or risk having the request recorded in your medical records), you can get the vaccine from another agency. Therefore, a much better place to go would be your local sexual health clinic. They can give you the complete vaccine course free of charge and in total confidence. They will not tell anyone that you have been to see them.
For a list of clinics in the area, see our sexual health services page.
Why should I get vaccinated?
- Hepatitis B is most common among gay men.
- Hepatitis B is a major threat to the health of gay and bisexual men. 2 in every 5 gay men tested for Hepatitis B in clinics have had the virus. Most of them were not aware of it.
- Hepatitis B kills about 2 million people worldwide every year.
- Hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis and is responsible for 80% of the world’s primary liver cancers.
- Hepatitis B is the only sexually transmitted disease preventable by vaccination.
- SO - The best way to protect yourself and prevent yourself from getting infected for life is to get vaccinated.
For more information, visit hepinfo.org
