What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis means 'inflammation of the liver'. It can be caused by viruses passed on during sex: different viruses cause different types of hepatitis, some more serious than others.

Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common viruses. Vaccinations can protect against hepatitis A and B and there's a free combined vaccine that protects against both A and B. All gay and bisexual men should get vaccinated, especially if they have sex with a lot of men.

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccination and treatment.

How common is hepatitis B?

Many gay and bisexual men have had hepatitis B, which is why clinics offer vaccination against it for free. Most people are diagnosed with it by their doctor.

Hepatitis B is very infectious and can easily be passed on during sex. Many people get it without realising. For others it can mean months of feeling ill and not being able to drink alcohol or take party drugs - often for up to a year.

If you have another liver problem (for example if you have hepatitis C), picking up hepatitis B can be very bad news. Some people don't fully recover and become carriers, which means that they can give it to others.

Hepatitis B kills about 1% of those who get it.

What causes hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It's found in body fluids like blood, cum, pre-cum and spit.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Many people have no obvious symptoms when they get hepatitis B. But weeks, or even several months, after getting infected you may get a flu-like illness which can be mild or more severe.

Other symptoms can include:

• fever or diarrhoea
• headaches
• exhaustion
• feeling sick when faced with tobacco smoke, fatty food or alcohol
• having no appetite
• feeling pain in your stomach
• itchy skin
• losing weight.

You may get jaundice, which means:

• your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow
• your shit goes a pale colour
• your piss is dark-coloured.

The vast majority of people get over their symptoms, suffer no lasting damage and stop being infectious. About one in 10 people who get the virus become carriers, which means that they feel fine but can still infect other people. Carriers run a small risk of getting liver disease or cancer.

How is hepatitis B passed on?

The hepatitis B virus is usually in:

• blood
• cum
• pre-cum
• spit.

The virus is a lot more infectious than HIV, so it's much easier to get or pass on through sex. It can be passed on through unprotected:

• fucking or being fucked
• sucking
• fisting
• rimming
• 'watersports', though this is rare
• kissing (also rare).

The virus can also be passed on by:

• sharing toothbrushes or razors, as they could have infected blood on them
• sharing anything used to take drugs or steroids (such as rolled up bank notes, pipes, injecting equipment and so on)
• piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or sex play with needles if hygiene guidelines aren't followed
• sharing sex toys as the virus can live in dried blood for a week or so.

Find out how to protect yourself against hepatitis B and about getting treated.