This page was last updated on Sunday, 04 July 1999 at 2230Z
For discounted prices on condoms and the best lube visit our Eros Shop - click here
What has Hepatitis got to do with me?
A lot.
Hepatitis is a major threat to gay men's health
The text of a booklet produced in June 1995 by HEPS (Hepatitis Education Prevention & Support). This booklet was made available by my local health authority (East Berkshire) at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Greyhound Club, Colnbrook Bypass, near Slough
There is a lot of it about |
It is passed on through sex |
You can get vaccinated against the most common types.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by alcohol or drugs but usually it means that the liver is infected with a virus. Five different viruses are now known to attack the liver and have been named alphabetically A to E.
Hepatitis A is very common. The virus is found in faeces (shit) and is usually passed on through contaminated food and water. Infection in gay men in the UK has been increasing since 1986, maybe due to a belief that arse licking (rimming) is safer than some other kinds of sex. Hep A can make you feel very ill for several months and during the early stages you will be infectious to others.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease. There are an estimated 300 million carriers in the world. It is the most common form of disease among young gay men. Most get it through sex as it is highly infectious and is present in all body fluids.
Hep B can make you very ill. You may need many months to recover. Worse still, about 10% of people never get rid of it on their own and go on to become virus carriers. They remain infectious to others and permanent liver damage may occur. In a few cases Hep B can also kill. It poses a very real threat to gay men's health.
Hepatitis C is similar to Hep B. Not too much is known about it at present. Until recently, many cases seemed due to earlier poorly screened blood transfusion or blood products. All blood in the UK is now fully screened. It seems Hep C can be passed on through sex and sharing dirty needles but there are a large number of Hep C cases where the cause isn't known. The initial illness may be less severe than Hep B but more people go on to become carriers of the virus with the possibility of liver damage.
Hepatitis D is also found in body fluids. You can't get it without Hep B. A combined Hepatitis B and D infection can be very serious and can lead to further complications. It can be spread by sex or contaminated blood or by sharing dirty needles.
Hepatitis E is found in faeces and is similar to Hep A. It is rare in the UK.
The good news is that Hepatitis A, B and D are the only sexually transmitted diseases where you can protect yourself by vaccination. To maintain your sexual health, read on. Then go and get vaccinated.
Is there a connection between Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS?
No. They are totally different viruses.
All types of Hepatitis have very similar symptoms. Many people have none at all, or just feel a bit flu-like. Others may feel very tired and physically sick with loss of appetite and possibly diarrhoea. Weight loss is common during the illness. There may be muscle or joint aches or a vague abdominal pain. Some may be jaundiced where their urine turns dark and their eyes and skin become yellowish. The skin may itch. A few may be ill enough to have to be admitted to hospital.
What is the treatment for Hepatitis?
Unfortunately, once you've caught any type of Hepatitis there is usually no specific treatment. Doctors may advise you to rest and avoid too many fatty foods. If you are ill, you will have to stop alcohol and drugs for perhaps 6 months. Hepatitis A and E will clear from your body in time, usually with no complications. But with Hepatitis B, C and D there is the chance you may continue to carry the virus. Drugs called interferons are being used to treat patients who are long-term carriers of Hepatitis B and C.
The various types of Hepatitis are passed on in different ways. With sex, the main risk of Hep A is from rimming or poor hygiene with anal sex, including handling used sex toys such as dildoes, and used condoms.
Hepatits B, C and D viruses are present in all the body fluids including blood, cum & pre-cum, saliva and even tears. Hepatitis is usually caught through sexual contact including sucking, fucking, rimming and even wet kissing. It is very important to be careful with hygiene. Never share sex toys. Or toothbrushes. Or wet razors. Never share anything that can pierce the skin such as needles or tattooing and piercing equipment. Hepatitis can't be caught from coughs and sneezes, or from door knobs or lavatory seats. It may be best to avoid sharing cigarettes and unwashed knives, forks, cups and glasses.
Not very effectively. Safer sex for protecting you from the HIV virus will not fully protect you against Hepatitis. This is because Hepatitis is much more infectious than HIV and is much easier to catch.
Some activities thought to be low risk for HIV, such as sucking without a condom, are fairly high risk for Hepatitis B. Even kissing might be risky because the virus is in the saliva.
To protect yourself, and to protect others, stick to lower risk sex like wanking, body rubbing or cumming between thighs, making sure to avoid any areas of sore or broken skin. Remember the golden rule for safest sex - on him, not in him.
But there is a much better and enjoyable way of protecting yourself and others from Hep A and B. One that can prevent you getting infected - even if your partner is. That is to get vaccinated. Why risk your life when you don't have to?
Can I get Hepatitis more than once?
Yes, because there are 5 different viruses. You can get different ones at different times. You should not get the same one again as each one produces its own immunity, although you should have your immunity level checked, say every 5 years. If you become a long-term carrier of types B, C or D, these viruses may cause a flare-up of Hepatitis symptoms.
Protection from Hep A can be by a gamma-globulin injection which is instant but short-lived. Full vaccines are now available for Hep A and Hep B which give long-term protection. Both are made synthetically and are very safe.
It is important to know your Hep A and Hep B status. You may not know that you have been infected in the past. If you did and recovered without complications you will probably already be immune and won't need to be vaccinated. A simple blood test carried out by the doctor or clinic will reveal this.
Hep A vaccination consists of a single injection and gives protection for at least a year. A booster dose at 6-12 months gives protection lasting up to 10 years. Future boosters may be needed after that. There is little information on how well it works if you are HIV positive, but it seems safe and effective. Your doctor or clinic should be able to advise you.
Hepatitis B vaccination works in just about all cases. It can be less effective in older people and those that are HIV positive (although you can still safely have the vaccine). There is little chance of any side effects from the injection. For it to work, you must have the full course. The basic dose is 3 injections over a 6 month period. A blood test at the end will check to see if it has worked. If not a further injection usually does the trick. Other dosages are available so you can find the one that suits you. The doctor giving it to you will explain it in more detail. You must complete the course to ensure full protection. A booster may be necessary after something like 5 years. Remember that a bonus of getting vaccinated for Hepatitis B is that you are automatically protected from Hepatitis D.
The Hep A vaccine is recommended for frequent or long stay travellers to areas where Hep A is considered a high risk such as outside Northern and Western Europe (including Spain, Portugal and Italy), North America, Australia and New Zealand. As the present NHS guidelines do not give priority to gay men you may have to tell your doctor that you are at risk as a traveller. Your doctor may ask you to pay the standard NHS prescription charge or a small additional charge.
As a gay man you can be vaccinated against Hep B on the NHS. You can simply go to your GP and ask for a Hepatitis B vaccination. If you prefer not to tell your doctor that you are gay, you can get the Hepatitis B vaccine free from any GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine - STD, Special or Clap) clinic.
They deal with you in total confidence and they won't tell anyone that you have been to see them. You can also get Hep A&B vaccinated by a private clinic but the bill may be a nasty surprise!
If you do have any problems getting vaccinated let us know at HEPS.
But I have already been vaccinated for Hep B...
Well done. But how long ago? If you were vaccinated, and completed the full course of injections, 5 or more years ago then you might need a booster. Just go along to your GP or a GUM clinic and ask. They would first carry out a blood test to see if you are still sufficiently immune, and if not should give you a booster. Your blood will not be tested for anything else, such as HIV/AIDS, unless requested by you.
Hepatitis A and B are a very real threat to your health and lifestyle. It can be a long illness which messes up your work and social life. You may not be able to drink for 6 months or more and the high infectivity of Hep B will have a terrible effect on your sex life. But they can be prevented. All you have to do is ask. So please go and get vaccinated. Hepatitis vaccines can protect your life for life.
Hepatitis Education, Prevention & Support began life as Group B; a voluntary support group set up in 1982 by gay men who were diagnosed as Hepatitis B carriers.
The aims of HEPS are to provide information on all known forms of Hepatitis and to continue providing support to people with Hepatitis, their families, friends, partners and carers. Through publications like this leaflet, we hope to promote awareness of the problem of Hepatitis and knowledge of the means to prevent infection.
A telephone and fax support line is run by volunteers. If you would like more information or just want a chat about Hepatitis we would be happy to hear from you. If you leave a message on our answerphone/fax we will try to get back to you within 24 hours. As the volunteers have other commitments they can only return calls in the evenings between 7.00pm and 10.00pm.
Telephone/Fax support line: 020 7244 6514
HEPS
PO BOX 7627
LONDON
NW6 6WB
Copyright © 1996-2012 Bruce Gilson
Powered by
Back to my front page