WTF is
Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected.
Hepatitis A
How do I know if I have it?
Individuals who contract hepatitis A may become sick for a few weeks to a few months. Most people will recover completely after infection and will not develop any lasting liver damage. Once recovered from hepatitis A, antibodies develop which protect against being reinfected.
Symptoms may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (this is referred to as jaundice)
- Dark urine (pee)
- Grey colored feces (poop)
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
How do I get tested?
Doctors diagnose hepatitis A based on symptoms and a blood test. A blood test will detect antibodies for the hepatitis A virus and show whether a hepatitis A infection is present.
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How do I get treated?
- There are no specific treatments, or a cure for hepatitis A, healthcare providers typically focus on managing symptoms.
- The body will clear, or cure, the infection on its own over the course of a few weeks to a few months.
- People with hepatitis A should practice ways to prevent others from being exposed.
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How is it transmitted?
- It is found in the feces (poop) of someone with hepatitis A and spreads when infected feces is ingested through close contact with someone who is infected.
- Consuming food or drinks contaminated with hepatitis A and sharing sex toys, rimming, fisting, or other anal sex play where the mouth may come into contact with feces, can also spread hepatitis A.
- Sharing injection equipment or through sexual contact without a barrier method such as condoms or dental dams can also spread hepatitis A.
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How do I protect myself?
- Get vaccinated. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective.
- Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing food and after bathroom use or changing diapers.
- Use new injection equipment.
- Practice safer sex by using condoms and dental dams.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Vaccines are offered at most health clinics and pharmacies. Some locations offer free or low-cost vaccines for people without health insurance. A healthcare provider can answer questions about getting vaccinated.
Click below to find a vaccinating pharmacy or clinic:
Hepatitis A & HIV
If an individual is living with HIV, their health care providers should check to see if they are immune to hepatitis A, either through a previous infection or from being vaccinated. Individuals that don’t have immunity may be offered the vaccine to prevent future infection.
Hepatitis B
How do I know if I have it?
Most adults have symptoms of hepatitis B when they first get it. Some adults, however, have had hepatitis B for a long time and will show no symptoms during that time. The best way to find out is to get tested.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (this is referred to as jaundice)
- Dark urine (pee)
- Grey colored feces (poop)
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
How do I get tested?
Testing for hepatitis B is recommended for all adults 18 years and older at least once in their lifetime, during every pregnancy, and more frequently if there is ongoing risk of transmission. Get tested if you think you’ve been exposed to hepatitis B. Testing for hepatitis B is done by a blood draw. A healthcare provider can provide guidance about the next steps.
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How do I get treated?
It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider so they can determine what course of action is best as every individual is different.
- For those that do require treatment, there are several treatment options to keep the infection from progressing into a serious illness.
- Medications are available to treat hepatitis B but may not be needed by everyone.
- Additionally, screening for liver cancer is an important part of ongoing care for hepatitis B for everyone.
Well...
How is it transmitted?
- Hepatitis B spreads when the blood of someone living with hepatitis B enters the body of someone who is not infected.
- This can happen through sexual contact like vaginal or anal sex without a barrier like a condom.
- Sharing injection, smoking, or snorting equipment, or sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, tweezers, nail clippers, or toothbrushes are also ways the virus can spread, as it can live on surfaces outside of the body for at least seven days.
- Hepatitis B can also be spread to a baby during pregnancy or delivery.
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How do I protect myself?
- The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective.
- Practice safer sex like using barrier methods, such as condoms or dental dams.
- Do not share items that might be exposed to blood such as personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, tweezers, razors, or nail clippers.
- Avoid sharing injection, snorting, and smoking equipment.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Vaccines are offered at most health clinics and pharmacies. Some locations offer free or low-cost vaccines for people without health insurance. A healthcare provider can answer questions about getting vaccinated.
Click below to find a vaccinating pharmacy or clinic:
Hepatitis B & HIV
People living with HIV have an increased chance of contracting hepatitis B. Co-infection, or exposure to both hepatitis B and HIV, can be prevented by using a barrier method during sex and by using new injection equipment each time. People living with HIV who contract hepatitis B have an increased risk of liver-related illness and death. While both infections can be treated at the same time, co-infection can accelerate the progression of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
How do I know if I have it?
The best way to find out is to get tested for hepatitis C because most people will not have any symptoms. For those that do,
Symptoms may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (this is referred to as jaundice)
- Dark urine (pee)
- Grey colored feces (poop)
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
How do I get tested?
Testing for hepatitis C is recommended for all adults 18 years and older at least once in their lifetime, during every pregnancy, and more frequently if there is ongoing risk of transmission. If you think you’ve been exposed, get tested!
Testing for hepatitis C can be done through a blood draw or a finger stick and takes two tests to tell if a person has an active hepatitis C infection.
An antibody test (a finger stick test) detects if there has ever been hepatitis C virus in the blood. If hepatitis C antibodies are detected, a second blood test may be needed to detect an active infection. This can be done at a health clinic or a lab.
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How do I get treated?
- There is a cure for hepatitis C.
- Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications that help the body clear, or cure, the infection within 8- 12 weeks with little or no side effects.
- Most health insurance plans cover the cost of treatment.
- You do NOT need to be sober to be treated in Pennsylvania.
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How is it transmitted?
- Hepatitis C spreads when blood from someone living with hepatitis C enters the bloodstream of someone who is not infected.
- Having vaginal or anal sex without a barrier like a condom can also spread hepatitis C.
- Sharing injection, smoking, or snorting equipment, or sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, tweezers, nail clippers, and toothbrushes are also ways the virus can spread, as it can live on surfaces outside of the body for up to six weeks.
- Hepatitis C can also be spread during pregnancy or delivery from birthing person to baby.
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How do I protect myself?
- There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
- Use barrier methods like condoms during anal and vaginal sex and avoid direct contact with blood from another person.
- Do not share injection equipment (e.g., needles, syringes, cottons, cookers, tourniquets), smoking or snorting devices, or personal hygiene items (e.g., toothbrushes, nail clippers, tweezers, razors) which could have other people’s blood on them.
- The hepatitis C virus can live outside of the body and on surfaces for up to six weeks, depending on the environment.
Hepatitis C & HIV
Using condoms during sex can help reduce the risk of infection. People living with HIV who contract hepatitis C have an increased risk of liver-related illness and death. While both infections can be treated at the same time, co-infection can accelerate the progression of hepatitis C; therefore, curing hepatitis C can lead to better health outcomes. Individuals living with HIV can be cured of hepatitis C. Having HIV does not decrease hepatitis C cure rates.
Hepatitis D
How do I know if I have it?
Someone must be living with hepatitis B in order to get hepatitis D. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis D can be contracted at the same time, or someone living with hepatitis B can get hepatitis D. Getting hepatitis D can trigger symptoms in people who didn’t have any and can worsen the symptoms for people who already have them.
Symptoms may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (this is referred to as jaundice)
- Dark urine (pee)
- Grey colored feces (poop)
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
How do I get tested?
Hepatitis D is diagnosed with a blood test. If hepatitis D antibodies are found in your blood, it means there has been an exposure to the virus.
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How do I get treated?
There are a number of treatments for hepatitis D. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider so they can determine what course of action is best as every individual is different.
- Medications are available to treat hepatitis D but may not be needed by everyone.
- For those that do require treatment, there are several treatment options to keep the infection from progressing into a serious illness.
Well...
How is it transmitted?
- Hepatitis D is contracted by people who already have the hepatitis B virus, so someone must be living with hepatitis B in order to contract hepatitis D.
- People may contract hepatitis B and hepatitis D at the same time.
- Both hepatitis D and hepatitis B spread when blood, semen, or vaginal fluids containing the virus enter the body, including through childbirth.
- This can happen through vaginal or anal sex without a condom, sharing injection, snorting, or smoking devices, or by sharing personal hygiene items such as razors, nail clippers, tweezers or toothbrushes.
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How do I protect myself?
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis B. This is because only people who have hepatitis B can become infected with hepatitis D.
- For those living with hepatitis B, use protection like condoms when having sex and avoid direct contact with blood around other people.
- Do not share personal hygiene items such as razors, tweezers, toothbrushes, and nail clippers or injection, snorting, or smoking equipment, which could have other people’s blood on them, even if they look clean.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Vaccines are offered at most health clinics and pharmacies. Some locations offer free or low-cost vaccines for people without health insurance. A healthcare provider can answer questions about getting vaccinated.
Click below to find a vaccinating pharmacy or clinic:
Hepatitis D & HIV
Co-infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis D, and HIV is possible. People living with HIV who contract hepatitis B and hepatitis D have an increased risk of liver-related illness and death. While these infections can be treated at the same time, co-infection can accelerate the progression of hepatitis B and hepatitis D.
COMMON STIs AND OTHER INFECTIONS
Read more about the most common STIs and other infections below to know how to get tested and treated.
Syphilis is an STI that starts as a painless sore. It can cause many different symptoms including rash, swollen lymph nodes and even brain damage and blindness.
Chlamydia is an STI that may include painful urination and abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina.
Gonorrhea is an STI that causes painful urination and discharge. If untreated it may cause infertility.
Mpox is spread through close, physical contact between individuals. Symptoms can include rashes, bumps, or blisters.
Vaginitis is a term that covers multiple conditions that are not always transmitted through sex.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus and there are many different kinds.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are many different types of HPV, some more serious than others. The good thing is that there is a vaccine to prevent many types of HPV.