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 C prevention and treatment.

How common is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is the most serious type of hepatitis. It was only discovered in 1989 but has been around since long before then.

In this country hepatitis C is a common problem among people who inject drugs. It's nowhere near as widespread among gay and bisexual men as hepatitis A and B. But among those of us with HIV it's a growing problem, especially among men who inject drugs, fuck without condoms or fist without gloves.

What causes hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that's usually passed on through contact with blood, which can happen when sharing injecting drug equipment or during unprotected fucking, fisting or rimming.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Very few people notice any symptoms when they are first infected with hepatitis C. Even over time symptoms are difficult to spot, and it can take many years before you begin to feel ill. But eventually it can cause the same symptoms as hepatitis A and B. Other symptoms can include extreme tiredness, mental confusion and depression.

Many people with untreated hepatitis C eventually develop some kind of liver disease, such as scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. You may need a liver transplant.

Hepatitis C can be fatal.

How is hepatitis C passed on?

More is still being learnt about how hepatitis C might be passed on. The virus is in blood and is spread when infected blood gets into another person's body. But it might be spread through cum.

It can be passed on through:

• injecting drugs or steroids if equipment is shared, such as syringes or swabs, 'works' or anything used to take drugs, and possibly also sharing pipes or rolled up bank notes for snorting
• anal sex and rimming if condoms aren't used, especially as fucking and arse-play can cause bleeding
• fisting
• group sex scenes where sex toys or injecting equipment are shared. The virus is also spread when hands and cocks (even if gloves and condoms are used) go from one arse to another
• sex scenes that draw blood, for example play piercing, CP and body piercings that bleed
• 'do-it-yourself' or amateur piercing or tattooing where hygiene guidelines aren't followed and contaminated equipment is used or shared
• medical and other procedures involving blood that are done abroad without steps taken to prevent the spread of infections.

Having HIV and hepatitis C can make your blood and cum more infectious for hepatitis C.

Blood transfusions in the UK are safe as donations are checked for hepatitis C.

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