Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B
The sexually transmitted infections people commonly hear about may include syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Two we don’t hear a lot about come from the blood-borne virus family.
Most people are aware of hepatitis C, but have you heard about his two brothers, hepatitis A and hepatitis B? These two blood-borne viruses are easily transmitted through sexual contact.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver and is spread through the fecal-oral route or when infected fecal matter enters the mouth. This basically means that rimming is a transmission route.
It is also important to note that hepatitis A can survive in the environment on the hands for several hours after sexual contact, so fingering and fisting without gloves can also be a transmission route.
Unfortunately, many people who have hepatitis A show no obvious symptoms so they don’t go to the doctor to get tested and get treated. Untreated hepatitis A can have serious implications for the functioning of the liver.
To prevent getting or passing on hepatitis A, use condoms for fucking and use gloves and wash your hands after any arse play.
The good news is that there is a vaccine for hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B is also a viral infection of the liver and is spread through sexual contact or through the sharing of injecting equipment. Hepatitis B exists in blood and seminal fluid among others and, like hepatitis A, people can often show no symptoms. Sometimes symptoms can be dormant, which means they may not show up, even up to six months after infection. Again if hepatitis B is left untreated, there can be serious complications in the functioning of the liver.
Prevention strategies for hepatitis B include not sharing injecting equipment, using condoms and water-based lube along with washing your hands after coming into contact with bodily fluids.
Best of all, there is also a vaccine for hepatitis B.
The vaccinations for both hepatitis A and B can be given together. People at risk of exposure to both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, particularly men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, health-care workers and travellers, should consider receiving the combined hepatitis A/ hepatitis B vaccine. It typically involves three doses of the vaccines given together over a six-month period.
Thus, unlike other types of sexually transmitted infections, there is something extra you can do to prevent yourself from becoming infected with hepatitis A and B. Speak with your doctor about being tested and vaccinated.
For more information, you can call the Hepatitis InfoLine on 1800 703 003, or visit www.thedramadownunder.info or Hepatitis Victoria at www.hepcvic.org.au
By ADAM HYNES
