​Hepatitis A, B, and C

Hepatitis A is viral infection. You can get hepatitis A from contaminated water or food. You can also get hepatitis A from any mouth on anus contact — during sex, for example.

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and others against hepatitis A:

• Wash your hands after using the toilet 
• Wash your hands before touching food 
• Use an oral dam when you have mouth on anus sex 

Hepatitis B is viral infection. You can get hepatitis B from: 

• Unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or close skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom or an oral dam 
• Hepatitis B can spread from a pregnant person to the baby 
• Sharing items that pierce the skin, or have blood on them, for example: needles, syringes, unsterilised surgical instruments, razors, or toothbrushes
• Blood transfusions — in countries that do not pre-test blood for transfusion 

Hepatitis C is viral infection. You can get Hepatitis C from:

• Sharing items that pierce the skin, or have blood on them, for example: needles, syringes, unsterilised surgical instruments, razors, or toothbrushes
• Blood transfusions — in countries that do not pre-test blood for transfusion

It’s also possible that hepatitis C may be spread though unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or close skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom, or an oral dam.

Many people with hepatitis A, B, or C will show no symptoms. Hepatitis is tested for in a blood test. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes 
• Dark mimi 
• Pale clay-coloured poos  
• Mild flu-like symptoms 
• Belly pain 
• Nausea 

There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Vaccines can protect you from getting the infection in the first place. 

There are now some antiviral treatments for hepatitis C — ask your nurse or doctor about these.

To recover from hepatitis, it’s best to eat well-balanced and low-fat meals. Make sure you rest when you need to — and get some exercise when you can. It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol and drugs until you are better. If you are using any other medicines, check with your doctor that they don’t affect your liver.

It’s best to avoid sex while you are recovering. 

If you find out that you have hepatitis A, B, or C, there are a few important things that you need to do. First off, you need to get treated for hepatitis. The person who gave you your diagnosis should refer you for treatment. 
 
If you have hepatitis A:  

• You and the people you have sex with should be immunised with the hepatitis A vaccine, before you have sex with each other 
• Avoid anal sex while you are recovering from hepatitis A  
• Use a condom or oral dam when you have sex 

If you have hepatitis B: 

• Free vaccination is available to the people you live with, and the people you have sex with, if you have hepatitis B 
• Use a condom or oral dam when you have sex 

If you have hepatitis C:  

• Anybody that you have had sex with, or shared a needle with, should get a blood test to check for infection

For more information, contact the Hepatitis Foundation.