What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis means an injury to the liver with inflammation of the liver cells. Hepatitis derives from the Greek work Hepar. The liver is the largest gland in the human body.The liver is made up of thousands of hepatic cells and it is these hepatic cells which are the basic metabolic cells of the liver.

Most liver damage is caused by Hepatitis A, (Hep A), Hepatitis B (Hep B) and/or Hepatitis C (Hep C). There are also hepatitis viruses D, E, X and G. Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and other toxins and infections. Around 250 million people in the world have Hepatitis C and over 300 million have Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis symptoms and other signs of hepatitis

Most people with hepatitis experience mild or no symptoms, however they can transmit hepatitis to others. Hepatitis symptoms in men are the same as hepatitis symptoms in women, but will very from person to person depending on the type of hepatitis virus.

With Hepatitis B, symptoms are: swollen liver, serious liver damage, liver cancer, chronic illness. Donated blood is always screened for Hepatitis B as Hepatitis is easily transmitted through body fluids.

Signs of Hepatitis C are similar to Hepatitis B symptoms, but the liver cancer risk is only increased in people with cirrhosis (which happens in only 1 in 5 cases). Hepatitis C can also mean that you feel tired and lethargic and you do not know why.

Hepatitis D can only be contracted by someone who already has Hepatitis B; again it can cause the liver to swell. Hepatitis E is caught from drinking infected water and is not considered to be sexually transmitted. Hepatitis G is where symptoms are very mild, and Hepatitis X is a hepatitis virus which cannot be attributed to one of the known viruses.

Other hep symptoms and signs include: diarrhoea, fatigue, loss of appetite, aches, mild fever, vomiting or nausea, abdominal pain and weight loss, but most people with hepatitis do not know they have the hepatitis virus.

Hepatitis test

The only way to know whether you have hepatitis is to do a hepatitis test you can decide which of the different hepatitis virus types to be tested for.

Hepatitis is tested with a small blood sample. Better2Know can test for Hep B and Hep C from 10 days after any incident you are concerned about.

Hepatitis tests are quick to do, and hepatitis testing is available at all of the Better2Know clinics that all hepatitis and STD testing at Better2Know is private and confidential with fast results.

What Causes Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is caused by a virus that can be spread by:

  • Vaginal Sex
  • Oral Sex
  • Anal Sex
  • Sharing any bodily fluids (saliva, blood, semen)
  • Drinking contaminated water (or eating food that has been prepared or washed in it)

To prevent catching hepatitis: practice safe sex, wash your hands regularly, only drink safe/bottled water, ensure your food is cooked in boiling water, and do not share kit with people where it may puncture their skin. This should reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis.

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