Hepatitis A
The virus is present in the excrements (i.e. "poo") of people affected by this disease. They can thus be transmitted through some sexual practices. More often, it is transmitted through ingestion of water or raw food (fruits, vegetables, shellfishes, etc.) that is infected, in situations of poor hygiene. People with anal sexual practices, as well as IV drug users, are particularly concerned by hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A never becomes chronic but can be severe (especially in persons already affected by a liver disease).
An effective vaccine against hepatitis A is now available (though currently not reimbursed in France). Talk about it with your doctor.
Hepatitis A never becomes chronic but can be severe (especially in persons already affected by a liver disease).
An effective vaccine against hepatitis A is now available (though currently not reimbursed in France). Talk about it with your doctor.
Hepatitis B
Infection occurs via sperm, vaginal secretions or sharing of items which were in contact with blood, even in minimal, invisible quantities: items related to drug use (syringe, filter and piece of cotton, spoon, crack pipe, sniffing straw, etc.) and, more rarely, from equipment used for piercing, tattooing, scarification, from razors, etc. Transmission through saliva is very rare. Hepatitis B is a common chronic disease which can have severe effects.
An effective preventive vaccine is available and is reimbursed by the Social Security in France.
For those affected by hepatitis B, treatments are available (however full recovery is not possible). It is also recommended that close friends and relatives get vaccinated. Talk about it with your doctor.
Hepatitis C
Today, infection occurs through the sharing of items which were in contact with blood, even in minimal, invisible quantities: items related to drug use (syringe, filter and piece of cotton, spoon, crack pipe, sniffing straw, etc.) and, more rarely, from equipment used for piercing, tattooing, scarification, from razors, etc. This infection is also very common in people who have had a blood transfusion before 1991 and those who have undergone invasive medical analysis (with medical material introduced into the body), especially before 1997. Hepatitis C can also occasionally be transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse if there is blood, even in minimal quantities (periods, unprotected sodomy, some sadomasochistic practices, etc.). Hepatitis C is a common chronic disease which can have severe effects.
There is no preventive vaccine against hepatitis C.
However, a treatment is available. It is restrictive, but full recovery is possible in some cases. Talk about it with your doctor.
Hepatitis often displays no visible signs. The only way to know if you are infected is to make a test (in a medical laboratory, with a doctor’s prescription, or in CDAGs, without prescription).
There is no preventive vaccine against hepatitis C.
However, a treatment is available. It is restrictive, but full recovery is possible in some cases. Talk about it with your doctor.
Hepatitis often displays no visible signs. The only way to know if you are infected is to make a test (in a medical laboratory, with a doctor’s prescription, or in CDAGs, without prescription).
To talk about it, get information:
Hépatites Info Service (+33 (0) 800 845 800).
Hépatites Info Service (+33 (0) 800 845 800).
