Transmission modes
- Contact between the mouth and faecal residue of an infected person
Symptoms
Mostly without symptoms. In other cases :
- nausea
- fever
- muscle aches
- jaundice
Consequences if undetected and untreated
In the majority of cases, there are no consequences because the hepatitis A virus clears itself (recovery).
Screening
Only a blood test can detect HAV.
Testing for hepatitis A can be done 6 weeks after infection, during which time you will not feel anything. It is done by adoctor by blood test.
The hepatitis A virus can also disappear on its own: you are then immune. If it does not disappear, you are a carrier and can transmit the virus. So remember to tell your partners to get tested and treated!
Treatment
Most healthy adults can eliminate the hepatitis A virus from their bodies without needing treatment. For those who cannot, there are treatments available to relieve the symptoms.
Protection
There are several ways to protect yourself from hepatitis A:
Vaccination
A free and very effective vaccine is offered in Belgium at the same time as the other infant vaccines. Two injections guarantee lifelong immunity.
Adults can also be vaccinated afterwards with two injections, provided they have not previously been in contact with the virus.
More information on the hepatitis A vaccine at www.vaccination-info.be
Preventive measures
To minimize the risk of contamination :
- Avoid contact between the mouth and faeces (use the latex square for anilingus).
Transmission modes
- anal or vaginal penetration
- oral sex
- sharing injection equipment
- exchange of saliva (kissing, sharing a glass, toothbrush, towels) in the period of primary infection
Symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis B usually appear 25 days to 6 months after infection and are often similar to those of influenza:
- loss of appetite, nausea
- fever
- muscle aches
- great fatigue (most common symptom)
- jaundice (in 30-50% of cases in adults, rare in children)
In almost half of the cases, hepatitis B infection remains silent and asymptomatic.
Consequences if undetected and untreated
If Hepatitis B infection is not treated in time, serious complications can arise such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer, fulminant hepatitisthe last two of which can lead to death.
The hepatitis B and HIV co-infection is common and increases the risk of complications (cirrhosis, liver disease).
Screening
Only a blood test can detect HBV. More than half of the people infected with HBV do not know that they have been infected.
Testing for hepatitis B can be done within 4-8 weeks after infection, during which time there is no feeling of infection. It is done by aby a doctor by blood test.
The hepatitis B virus can also disappear on its own: you are then immune. If it does not disappear, you are a carrier and can transmit the virus. So remember to tell your partners and those around you to get tested and treated!
Treatment
As with hepatitis A, most healthy adults can eliminate the hepatitis B virus from their bodies without needing treatment. In those who cannot, 5-10% of adults will develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to serious complications.
If diagnosed in time, hepatitis B can be treated with antivirals.
Protection
There are several ways to protect yourself from hepatitis B:
Vaccination
A free and very effective vaccine is offered in Belgium along with the other infant vaccines. Three injections guarantee lifelong immunity.
Adults can also be vaccinated with two injections, provided they have not previously been in contact with the virus.
More information on the hepatitis B vaccine at www.vaccination-info.be
Preventive measures
To minimize the risk of contamination :
- uses a condom (internal or external) and a latex square (for oral sex)
- uses sterile injection equipment
- avoids contact with contaminated blood
- do not share toothbrushes, manicure equipment, razors, etc.
- avoids saliva exchange
Symptoms of hepatitis B can go unnoticed, so get tested, protect yourself and your partners after taking risks.
Transmission modes
You can get the hepatitis C virus (HCV) when contaminated blood from a carrier comes into direct contact with your blood. Blood is the only contaminating liquid that transmits hepatitis C.
Most common ways to get infected
- sharing contaminated injection equipment (syringe, spoon, filter, water, cotton, tampon,...). Boiling, burning or rinsing equipment with bleach does not protect against infection!
- sharing contaminated tattoo and piercing equipment (needles or other sharp objects, inks and tattoo guns).
- blood transfusion or haemodialysis in countries with limited medical supervision. In Belgium, all medical products in contact with blood are systematically tested for hepatitis C and B since 1990!
The life span of the hepatitis C virus in the open air is several days.
Other ways to get infected
- sharing of snorting straws
- sharing hygienic equipment such as a razorrazor, a toothbrushtoothbrush nail clippers or a clippersThese can cause small lesions (cuts, scratches, etc.) that transmit contaminated blood.
- sexual intercourse unprotected, or traumatic and/or including the presence of blood (anal sex, fisting, sex during menstruation, lesions, etc.)
- contact with blood spatter or blood via an open wound open wound
- transmission from mother to child
Symptoms
Hepatitis C is a silent disease, often without symptoms. However, in some people, some manifestations of the disease may appear which may be a sign of severe liver disease:
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
The onset of these symptoms is highly variable and can range from 2 to 26 weeks.
Consequences if undetected and untreated
Even if you feel healthy, hepatitis C can damage the liver. In some cases, serious complications can occur such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer, fulminant hepatitisthe last two of which can lead to death.
Screening
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms. Screening is therefore essential to detect the virus.
This detection is done by blood test and/or rapid test. It can be done between 8 and 12 weeks after infection. The screening is done on prescription by the attending physician in a laboratory or any other reference centre.
The amount of virus in the blood can also be measured to estimate the stage of infection and to determine the conditions for treatment.
Questionnaire to find out if you should be tested:
Treatment
Antivirals for 2 to 3 months, taken orally, which eliminate the virus.
Be careful, you can always get reinfected if you take risks again afterwards!
Since 1 January 2019, treatment for hepatitis C is reimbursed for all infected persons, even at an early stage of the disease.even at an early stage of the disease.
Protection
There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C!
To minimise the risk of contamination, preventive measures should be taken:
- use of sterile injection equipment
- use your own sniffing equipment (available from pharmacies or ask for advice from an association active in harm reduction)
- avoid contact with blood (tattooing and piercing with non-sterilised equipment, etc.)
- use ofa condom (internal or external) and a latex pad (in case of oral sex in the presence of blood)
Symptoms of hepatitis C can go unnoticed, so protect yourself and your partners after taking a risk!
MORE INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS
Hepatitis C Network - Brussels: www.reseauhepatitec.be
Carrefour Hépatites - Aides et Contact (CHAC): www.hepatites.be
Institute of Public Health (IPH): https://www.sciensano.be/fr/sujets-sante/hepatites-a-b-c-d-et-e
World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
Hepatitis Info Service: www.hepatites-info-service.org