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Hepatitis is the medical name for inflammation of the liver. There are different causes of hepatitis, some of which are viruses and can be transmitted through sexual activity, others can be caused by alcohol.
In many cases, hepatitis can have no symptoms. However, early signs can include flu-like symptoms such as:
Some types of hepatitis can pass without affecting the liver, but others can become chronic and last for many years, or cause cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Symptoms of chronic hepatitis include:
There are several different types of hepatitis, but only hepatitis A and B can be transmitted through unprotected sexual activity.
It is uncommon in the UK but widespread in parts of the world where sanitation is poor.
It is passed on through close physical contact with an infected person, including unprotected anal sex or oral sex, drinking unclean water, or eating food that has been washed in unclean water.
There is no treatment for hepatitis A, although symptoms can be managed by getting plenty of rest and taking painkillers to relieve discomfort.
The infection usually passes within three to six months. A small number of people may get liver problems, which may be tested for.
A hepatitis A vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to countries where hepatitis A is common. It may also be recommended if you are a man that has sex with men, if you have been in close physical contact with someone who has hepatitis A, or if you have a job that puts you at risk of infection, e.g. healthcare worker.
It’s not common in the UK, but your risk is increased if your partner is from – or if you travel to – parts of the world where it is relatively common, such as sub-Saharan Africa, east and southeast Asia, the Middle East and southern and eastern Europe.
Although the virus can be spread via saliva, vaginal fluids and semen this is rare and it is most commonly spread through blood to blood contact (9/10 cases are spread through sharing needles to inject drugs).
Hepatitis B usually clears up on its own. You may be offered painkillers or medicine to help with symptoms. In some people it can lead to chronic hepatitis B which, although treatable with antiviral medication, is a long-term condition which can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.
Most cases pass within 1 to 3 months, but if it lasts longer than six months it is called chronic hepatitis B.
A vaccination is available for travellers or people in high-risk groups such as drug users, healthcare workers, men who have sex with men, people living with HIV, and more.
Hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK and around 50,200 people in the UK have chronic hepatitis C.
Antiviral medication can be prescribed to relieve symptoms, which may also sometimes cure the infection. You take these every day for 8 to 12 weeks.
Some people recover from the infection, however the majority will have the virus for many years (this is known as chronic hepatitis C). You have blood tests during your treatment to see how well it is working. Different medicines may be recommended.
There is no vaccination for hepatitis C.
Other types of hepatitis include hepatitis D, hepatitis E, alcoholic hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis.
Hepatitis is tested by a blood test, designed to look for evidence that your immune system is trying to fight the virus. Testing can also include a check of your liver function, an ultrasound scan, or a liver biopsy (where a small sample of liver tissue is taken for testing).
You can get tested for hepatitis at Brook services, young people’s services, GUM or sexual health clinics and GP surgeries. Find your nearest using our find a service tool.
If you test positive for hepatitis your doctor or nurse will advise you what to do and may prescribe antiviral medication. If you test positive for hepatitis C you will be referred to a specialist to discuss treatment options. It is thought that treatment is more effective the sooner it is started.
Some types of viral hepatitis will also require Public Health England to be notified. This is for types of hepatitis which are rarer in the UK such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
For many types of hepatitis there is no treatment, although symptoms can be managed with antiviral medication. It is also important to rest, stay hydrated and also rest your liver (such as not drinking any alcohol). You may also be advised to take painkillers such as ibuprofen. Some infections pass within a few months while others can become chronic.
Tell sexual partners
If you test positive for hepatitis you should tell your current and any recent sexual partners (last six months) so that they can get tested too.
Some clinics may also offer to contact your partner using a partner notification service such as SXT. This is to inform them they may have been exposed and to recommend they get tested, but it doesn’t mention your name.
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