Fridae

People often get confused about the different types of hepatitis. Which type of hepatitis is sexually transmitted? Which one can I get from contaminated food? Which type of hepatitis can I get a vaccination for? Here are the answers, as well as links to more in-depth information about hepatitis and men who have sex with men (MSM).

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route.

How is it transmitted? Hepatitis is spread when a person puts something in their mouth that has been contaminated by the stool of a person with hepatitis A. Rimming and other sexual activities can put you at risk for hepatitis A. It does not need to be a visible amount of stool for hepatitis A to be transmitted. For example, hepatitis could be passed between partners if you touch a condom after anal sex and then put your fingers in your mouth. It may also be transmitted through contaminated food and water. This is why places with poor sanitation and hygiene may have greater rates of hepatitis A. Most cases are transmitted by a household member or a sexual partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Is there a vaccine? Luckily there is a vaccination for hepatitis A. Two shots complete the vaccination. There is also a combination vaccination for hepatitis A and B that only requires three shots.

Should men who have sex with men (MSM) get vaccinated? YES! The CDC recommends that all MSM get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. If you haven't been vaccinated, talk to your doctor about hepatitis. If you don't have a doctor you trust, visit the "Find a Provider" section of the site to find a gay-friendly physician.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. The number of new infections each year has decreased from 450,000 in the 1980's to about 80,000 in 1999. It is still, however, a very common disease among gay and bisexual men.

How is it transmitted? Hepatitis B may be transmitted during unprotected sex with an infected partner or from sharing needles with an infected person. Blood and other bodily fluids can transmit the virus. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth.

Is there a vaccine? There is a vaccine for hepatitis B and it requires three shots. There is also a combination vaccination for hepatitis A and B that also requires three shots.

Should MSM get vaccinated? YES! The CDC recommends that all MSM get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. If you haven't been vaccinated, talk to your doctor about hepatitis. If you don't have a doctor you trust, visit the "Find a Provider" section of the site to find a gay-friendly physician.

Hepatitis C
There are approximately 40,000 new cases of hepatitis C in the US each year, and only about one-third of these produce symptoms.

How is it transmitted? Hepatitis C is transmitted by direct contact with infected blood. It can be transmitted from infected needles, or from an infected mother to their child during birth. It is rarely transmitted via sex.

Is there a vaccine? Unfortunately there is no vaccination available for hepatitis C.