Hepatitis 101 for Gay and Bisexual Men

Hepatitis information can be very confusing - especially because there are different types of the disease caused by completely different viruses. Below is a guide specifically for gay and bisexual men - all the hepatitis basics in one place so you can get the information most important to you.

For general information about hepatitis A, B and C, check out these fact sheets:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

• In feces. Even in amounts so small you wouldn't see them.
• Some in blood & saliva.

• Blood. Even in amounts so small you wouldn't see them.
• Semen.
• Other bodily fluids.

• Blood and related fluids.
• Can be found in semen.
• Body tissues.

• Any sexual OR casual contact involving the anus of another person (rimming, anal intercourse, fingering, fisting, etc.) OR something that's been in contact with the anus of another (sharing sex toys, kissing someone who's been rimming, oral sex on someone who's been topping someone else, etc.)
• Needle or works sharing.
• Food prepared by someone infected; contaminated water.

• Anal or vaginal intercourse without a condom.
• Sharing needles or works (even once).
• Sharing anything that can have blood on it, even tiny amounts - a toothbrush, razor, tattoo equipment, sex toys, etc.
• Oral sex has some risk but it's considered to be low.

• Sharing needles, syringes or works (even once).
• Blood transfusion or organ/tissue transplant recipient before 1992.
• Sharing personal items like razors, sex toys etc.
• The risk for unprotected anal sex is not known.

• Get vaccinated. Period.
• Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom and before you eat or prepare food.
• Avoid sharing sex toys.

• Get vaccinated. Period.
• Sharing needles or works (even once).
• Don't share needles, syringes or works.
• Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, sex toys etc.
• Always use condoms during anal or vaginal intercourse.

• Don't share needles, syringes or works.
  
• Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, sex toys etc.
  
• If you've ever shared needles - even once - or if you had a transfusion or transplant before 1992, get a blood test.

You need both shots to be fully protected.

• (Get your blood tested at the same time to make sure you're not already infected.)
• You need all three shots to be fully protected.

Like HIV, there are so many variations of hep C virus that a vaccine will be extremely hard to make.

• Both vaccines have been proven safe and effective and you can get them at the same time - it's easy.
• Missed a shot? It's never too late to finish the series.
• Got insurance? Most health plans will pay for hep A and B vaccines for adults at high-risk. YES, it helps if you are out to your doctor! NO, your insurer doesn't need to know why you are at high risk. Find out how your insurance can reimburse your provider or if you are in Seattle and want to go to a Public Health or community health center.

• Symptoms usually begin 2 to 6 weeks after exposure and last 1 to 2 weeks.
• You're most infectious in the 2 weeks prior to having symptoms (which means you can spread it easily without knowing it).
• Many people have no symptoms but can still infect others without knowing it.

• Symptoms usually begin 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure and can last weeks, even months.
• 30-50% of adults have acute symptoms, the rest do not. Either way, you can still spread the virus (usually without knowing it) AND you can still develop chronic symptoms.

• Three out of four persons who are infected with HCV have no symptoms at first and can infect others without knowing it.
• Those who do have acute symptoms can get them anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. The symptoms can last weeks, even months.

• Early symptoms in adults include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue & muscle aches, fever, stomach pain and cramps. The severity of symptoms varies enormously.
• Tea-colored urine, pale or white bowel movements, and jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) may also be present but do not occur in all cases.
• Persons can have all, some or none of these symptoms.

Once you've had it, you're immune. (In other words, you can't get it again.)

• 5-10% of adults who are infected become carriers - they continue to be infected and infectious for life.
• Can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death.

• 80-85% of adults who are infected become carriers - they continue to be infected and infectious for life.
• Can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death.
• If you have hep C, getting hep A or B can be deadly.