Frequently asked questions

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by heavy alcohol use, toxins, medications, supplements and certain medical conditions. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. The most common types of viral hepatitis are called A, B and C. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C spread through contact with an infected person’s blood.

Sex without a condom. Sexual risk is heightened with sex that damages the vaginal or anal lining, or when one has another sexually transmitted disease such as HIV. It is also spread by sharing personal hygiene equipment, such as toothbrushes, razors and nail clippers; getting tattoos or body piercings with non-sterile equipment; or through mother-to-child transmission at birth.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is transmitted when the blood of a person who has HCV enters another person’s bloodstream. This may happen through the sharing of contaminated needles or other injecting equipment. It is also spread through unprotected sex (i.e., without a condom). Sexual risk is heightened with sex that damages the vaginal or anal lining, or when one has another sexually transmitted disease such as HIV. It is also spread by sharing personal hygiene equipment, such as toothbrushes, razors and nail clippers; getting tattoos or body piercings with non-sterile equipment; or through mother-to-child transmission at birth.

Not all individuals will show symptoms of viral hepatitis. Individuals who contract hepatitis A (HAV) may experience fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (jaundice). These symptoms may also occur when someone has hepatitis B (HBV). When individuals become infected with hepatitis C (HCV) they may not develop symptoms until years after infection (incl. swelling in the abdomen and legs, fatigue, bleeding or bruising, abdominal pain, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Few people have symptoms. When symptoms do appear (once the disease has progressed), they can be severe. The only way to know if you have hepatitis is to have a blood test.

Hepatitis B and C are more infectious than HIV and are spread when infected blood or body fluids enter someone’s body.

Use sterile equipment if you use drugs and never share needles or injecting equipment. Use condoms and lubricant when you have sex and never share nail clippers, toothbrushes or razors.

There is a vaccination for hepatitis B. Both infections can be managed well with treatment and hepatitis C can be cured.

When someone has HIV and viral hepatitis it is harder for their body to fight the viruses. This means that they are more likely to develop a chronic infection and complications including liver inflammation and scarring (known as cirrhosis), liver failure and liver cancer. If you have HIV and viral hepatitis it is important to start ARVs as soon as possible and to take them every day for the rest of your life.