Hepatitis

Learn more about the three types of hepatitis and how to prevent them.

Hepatitis A (hep A)

Hep A is commonly spread through infected feces that come in contact with the mouth. There is a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent it.

Hepatitis B (hep B)

Heb B is spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids. There is a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent it.

Hepatitis C (hep C)

Hep C is spread when blood contaminated with the virus enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person. While no vaccine exists, there are ways to prevent it, and there is now a cure for chronic hep C.

Hep A, B, and C: What’s the difference?

	HEPATITIS A	HEPATITIS B	HEPATITIS C
How is it transmitted?	Feces (poop), even small or trace amounts spread through: Rimming Anal sex/play Sharing items like needles, syringes, and/or other drug injection equipment, or cigarettes Food, drink, or anything else you ingest, if someone with the virus prepares it without properly washing their hands	Blood, semen, other body fluids through: Sex Sharing needles, syringes, and/or other injection equipment for the use of drugs, hormones, or steroids Sharing items such as snorting straws, toothbrushes, or razors that may have blood on them Pregnancy, but transmission can be prevented by providing hep B immune globulin and hep B vaccine to infants shortly after birth	Blood: Sharing needles and syringes used to inject drugs, hormones, steroids, or from other drug equipment Sharing personal items like toothbrushes and razors Sexual contact, such as anal sex and fisting
What are the symptoms?	Fever Fatigue Appetite loss Nausea Abdominal pain Diarrhea Dark urine Yellowing of the eyes or skin	Loss of appetite Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Yellowing of the eyes or skin	Loss of appetite Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Dark urine Yellowing of the eyes or skin
Is there a vaccine?	Yes	Yes	No
How is it prevented?	Get your vaccine Wash your hands after sex, or handling condoms and sex toys Use latex condoms for anal sex, and between anal and oral Use latex gloves for fingering or fisting Use a latex barrier for rimming Don’t share sex toys and make sure to wash sex toys after use Don’t share personal items like towels or utensils Always wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water Don’t eat raw or undercooked shellfish	Get your vaccine Wash your hands, especially after sex Use condoms if you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex Use a latex barrier for rimming Use latex gloves for fingering or fisting Disinfect sex toys Avoid sharing drug injection equipment, including needles or syringes Avoid sharing razors, nail clippers, or nail scissors	If you use or inject drugs, use new needles, syringes, and/or other drug injection equipment (including cookers, cotton, etc.) each time Use condoms and plenty of lube Try to avoid repetitive bottoming during anal sex or fisting, which can cause bleeding Use protection every time, with every sex partner Use a reputable artist or provider if you’re planning on getting a tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture
How long does it last?	Usually goes away in a month or two	Variable. It can go away in a few months or become an ongoing (chronic) infection	Usually goes away in a few months or with or without treatment
How is it treated?	There’s no treatment and most people recover fully on their own	Medications to manage ongoing (chronic) infection	Medications to cure the infection in as little as eight weeks
Can it come back?	No. After hep A goes away, people are immune	No. After hep B goes away, people are immune	Yes. After hep C goes away or is cured, re-infection is possible

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