Hepatitis is a general term used to define inflammation or infection in your liver. Various viruses can usually cause liver inflammation, use of chemicals, drug intake, alcohol consumption, or certain inheritable disorders. The most commonly contracted types of hepatitis are Hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is an infection induced by the Hepatitis A virus, HAV. This kind of Hepatitis is known to cause a severe yet short-term infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is primarily responsible for causing Hepatitis B. It can often be an acute infection or a continuing, chronic condition. Hepatitis C infection results from the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is counted amongst the most common blood-borne viral infections and is generally known to cause long-term health complications if left untreated. In this blog, we will go into detail about all you need to know about Hepatitis, its symptoms, causes, hepatitis testing methods, and prevention.
What is Hepatitis?
There are different causes of hepatitis, including viral or autoimmune. Autoimmune Hepatitis is a condition that exists when your body basically attacks its liver. Different strains of viruses cause viral hepatitis.
In some people, Hepatitis can have no noticeable symptoms. However, others can develop yellowing of the skin as well as yellowing of whites of the eyes (Jaundice), poor or no appetite, nausea, lethargy, abdominal or pelvic pain, and diarrhea. Acute Hepatitis usually goes away on its own or can develop into chronic Hepatitis. Chronic Hepatitis, however, may cause liver scarring (cirrhosis), lead to liver failure, and even, at times, liver cancer.
Is Hepatitis an STD?
Hepatitis B and C are known to be transmitted via the exchange of bodily fluids, especially via sexual practices, particularly if you practice risky or unprotected sex. Hepatitis A can also be spread this way, as well as through ingestion of contaminated foods or water.
How common is Hepatitis?
Depending on where you live, your lifestyle choices, your sexual life, and how easily healthcare facilities are accessible around your area, the chances of you contracting Hepatitis disease can vary. Some of the stats of the more common Hepatitis types, such as A, B, and C in the US, according to the CDC, are:
- Hepatitis A: In the year 2021, there were a total of 5,728 cases of hepatitis A in the US. However, due to under-reporting, the true number is likely double this.
- Hepatitis B: In 2020, the total number of newly diagnosed acute hepatitis B infections was 2,157, while chronic hepatitis B infections were reported at 11,635.
- Hepatitis C: During 2021, there were an estimated 69,800 cases of acute hepatitis C, while 43 different states reported a total of 107,540 new cases of chronic hepatitis C.
How is Hepatitis transmitted?
Depending on the classification of Hepatitis type, the disease can be spread or transmitted in many ways. The question also arises: Is Hepatitis a sexually transmitted disease?
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus is generally known to spread if you ingest the virus (even in minute amounts). It can be caused by coming into close contact with an infected person. It is also known as the fecal-oral path or the hand-to-mouth path. You can also be infected with Hepatitis A in several ways involving exchanging body fluids or syringes. Sexual practices transmitting hepatitis A, especially oral or anal sexual contact, are also known to spread Hepatitis A.
Here’s a list of how Hepatitis A may be transmitted from one person to another–
- Consuming contaminated food or drinking water.
- Touching something contaminated with the Hep A virus and using the same hand to touch your mouth or face.
- Unsafe sexual practices.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is known to be caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and is most commonly linked to being transmitted via sexual intercourse; it can spread by the exchange of body fluids, such as semen, vaginal discharge, and blood that can be transmitted via sharing syringes for drug use or personal hygiene products such as razors and or other forms of blood exposure, which can also include childbirth where it can pass from mother to unborn child.
Here’s a list of how Hepatitis B may be transmitted from one person to another–
- Having sex with an infected person.
- Sharing syringes for drug use with an infected person.
- Using unhygienic equipment for tattooing, acupuncture, and body piercings.
- Sharing personal hygiene products like toothbrushes and shaving razors, etc.
Hepatitis C
Generally, the Hepatitis C virus is spread through the sharing of needles for injecting drugs or by unsanitary healthcare practices, but it is possible to be spread through unprotected sex.
Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that Hepatitis C infections have significantly increased in men who have sex with men and those who have unprotected receptive anal sex; however, transmission risk is quite low amongst people who engage in heterosexual sex. There is an augmented risk for people who practice risky or unsafe sex and have multiple sex partners, as well as those affected with HIV.
Here’s a list of how Hepatitis C may be transmitted from one person to another–
- Someone comes in contact with or touches infected blood.
- Sharing syringes with a person positive for Hep C, for injecting drugs or straws, and other devices used to snort drugs.
- Using infected equipment for tattooing and piercing.
What are the symptoms of Viral Hepatitis infection?
Suppose you are suffering from a chronic form of Hepatitis, e.g., Hepatitis B and C. You will likely not show any noticeable symptoms until the infection starts to affect your liver function. However, those with acute Hepatitis from acute Hepatitis, like Hep A, are more likely to show symptoms as soon as the virus enters their body.
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Symptoms of Hepatitis A |
Symptoms of Hepatitis B |
Symptoms of Hepatitis C |
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Is Hepatitis Contagious?
Hepatitis A is the most contagious and can spread more easily than the other two, i.e., B & C. However, Hepatitis A causes less damage compared to the other two. Overall, considering all modes of transmission for all three types of Hepatitis such as from Fecal to mouth, spreading of virus through sexual acts, and via exchange of bodily fluids, it is safe to conclude that it is a contagious disease, and as such, precautions to prevent infection should be taken.
Is Hepatitis a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)?
To answer the question directly, yes, Hepatitis is a sexually transmitted disease. Although the methods of transmission and how easily it can be transmitted depends on the classification of the type of Hepatitis Virus.
Hepatitis A is mostly spread from person to person. It is also spread by food or water contaminated with infected people’s feces. Hepatitis A is also spread through sexual acts like anal or oral sex.
Hepatitis B virus is the kind of Hepatitis that is most commonly linked to spread via sexual contact. HBV is known to be present in semen, body fluids, and blood that are exchanged during unprotected sex.
Although the Hepatitis C virus is not rarely spread via sexual means. It can be spread by sharing the same needles as an infected person for drug use or using unsanitary or unhygienic medical tools.
What treatment is available for Hepatitis types?
Depending on the type of infection, the speed at which the infection is progressing as well as your body’s response, the type of Hepatitis treatments for the common Hepatitis categories are:
Hepatitis A
HAV is best addressed through supportive treatment such as having adequate rest, eating healthy foods, increasing fluid intake, and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.
Hepatitis B
For acute HBV infection, no medication is needed. It is best dealt with supportive treatment. For chronic HBV infection, your doctor will regularly monitor you for symptoms of liver disease progression: antivirals such as Entecavir, Tenofovir, Adefovir, and Telbivudine. These are taken as a pill once a day for at least one year but usually longer. However, you need to be monitored by a health professional. Possible side effects of the antiviral drugs are nausea, vomiting, headache, or depression.
Hepatitis C
There are several treatments and drugs available that help treat HCV, and New treatments are being introduced, such as Antiviral Medication, which helps to get rid of the Hepatitis C virus in the body. In the treatment of Hepatitis C, new drugs known as Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) are proving to be more effective than previous ones.
Top-of-the-range DAA therapy includes:
- Protease Inhibitors such as Grazoprevir, Voxilaprevir, and Glecaprevir block the protease enzyme essential to the replication of the Hepatitis C virus.
- Polymerase inhibitors are used to inhibit the viral polymerase enzyme, which is critical for the replication of viruses.
- NS5A inhibitors such as Ledipasvir, Velpatasvir, Elbasvir, and Daclatasvir inhibit the replication of the Hepatitis C virus by inhibiting NS5A.
Antiviral treatment aims to ensure that the Hepatitis C virus is not found in the body at least 12 weeks after treatment. Possible side effects of the antiviral drugs include fatigue, headache, fever spikes, sudden chills, and depression.
Hepatitis Virus Prevention Methods
Many preventive methods help lower your risk of contracting Hepatitis. Vaccines are available that help prevent hepatitis A and B. Autoimmune Hepatitis, however, is a disease that cannot be prevented.
General prevention methods include:
- Practicing good personal hygiene, washing hands, using clean personal care products
- Ensuring the food and water you consume are clean and uncontaminated.
- Proper cleaning or washing of fruits or vegetables that you purchase from the market.
- Avoiding sharing needles and other injection equipment
- Practicing safe sex, using condoms, avoiding sex with infected persons
- Using clean and sterilized equipment for tattoos, piercings, etc.
- Go for routine testing, especially if you think you are at risk of contracting Hepatitis or practice unsafe sex.
Conclusion
If you or your loved one have a possible Hepatitis infection, our team of experts at Equality Health will provide easy access to all the resources needed for diagnostics, treatments, and post-treatment care services like HIV Treatment, STD Testing, STD Treatment. Even if you do not have insurance, Equality Health has you covered!
Prevention is always better than cure. Talk to your healthcare provider about receiving Hep A and B vaccinations. Furthermore, safeguard yourself against possible Hepatitis infections by following good hygiene and safe sex practices.
