Hepatitis
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is basically an inflammation of the liver and can be caused by a variety of virus and other things, alcohol for example.
The virus comes in many different varieties but is mainly described as type A, B or C. Hepatitis A is passed on mainly by contact with faeces and so anyone who chooses to have anal sex is particularly at risk. Hepatitis C is very common among injection drug users in Fife. However, it is hepatitis B you need to be most worried about since it is passed on by unprotected sex.
What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis B is another sexually transmitted infection which is difficult to spot. Many people carry and pass on the the disease without ever seeing any symptoms. Symptoms can take between 6 and 23 weeks to develop. Here's some you can look out for:
- The skin looks yellow.
- Vomiting, nausea and fever.
- Flu-like symptoms, sore throat or cough.
- When you go to the toilet your urine is dark and your stools are pale.
How do you catch it?
You can catch or pass on the hepatitis B virus by having unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex with an infected partner or by coming into contact with infected blood, sexual fluids, saliva and urine.
How can I protect myself?
If you are going to have sex, using a condom or a femidom is the best way to protect yourself from hepatitis B.
Since hepatitis B can be passed on in other ways, it is worth following the rules below as well.
- Don't share needles or injecting equipment, razors, blades, toothbrushes or scissors.
- Always clean up spilt blood immediately and cover the area with bleach.
- Cover up open cuts or wounds, especially if you're dealing with food.
Hepatitis B can be treated but is serious if it is left without attention. If you think you have the virus you should go to a GUM clinic or your family doctor quickly.