Hepatitis

Symptoms⁽¹⁰¹⁾

• Often, people will not show any signs and symptoms.
• Symptoms often only appear 2 weeks to 7 weeks after exposure to hepatitis.
• Symptoms include: fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen or joints, light coloured stools, dark urine, and yellow-coloured skin (Jaundice)

Who is at greater risk?⁽¹⁰¹⁾

• Men who have sex with men and sexually active adults who:
  • Have sex with someone who has hepatitis
• Anyone occupying the same living spaces with an individual who has hepatitis
• Use of needles to inject drugs
• Working in an environment that puts you at higher risk of coming into contact with Hepatitis A (eg. healthcare workers and public health workers)
• Homeless
• Anyone living with chronic liver disease or HIV

Screening & Testing⁽¹¹²⁾

• Blood test for a short-term (acute) infection. There is no long-term (chronic) infection for Hepatitis A.

Treatment⁽¹⁰¹⁾

• Make sure you get some rest and enough nutrients and fluids
• Medical care involves managing symptoms and side effects
• Getting one dose of the Hepatitis A vaccination and medication therapy within two weeks of exposure can help prevent infection

Prevention

• Proper hand hygiene and carefully washing your food before eating can help prevent Hepatitis A.
• Getting Vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent transmission of Hepatitis A. There are two different vaccines:
  • The Hepatitis A vaccine consists of two doses that are given 6 months from each other.
  • The combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine is given in 3 doses over 6 months to anyone over the age of 18. This vaccine protects you from both Hepatitis A and B

Who should get vaccinated?⁽⁹⁸⁾

• All children of 12-23 months
• Any individual travelling to a country where Hepatitis A is common
• Anyone who lives with or is in close contact with someone who has Hepatitis A
• Men who have sexual intercourse with other men
• Drug users
• Individuals with chronic liver disease, Hepatitis B or C
• Individuals with blood clotting problems
• Individuals who want immunity
• Homeless individuals.

Symptoms⁽¹⁰²⁾

• Often, people will not show any signs and symptoms.
• Symptoms often only appear 60-150 days after exposure to hepatitis.
• Symptoms include: fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen or joints, light coloured stools, dark urine, and yellow-coloured skin (Jaundice)

Who is at greater risk?⁽¹⁰²⁾

• Individuals who engages in sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis
• Men who have sexual intercourse with other men
• People who injects drugs and share needles
• Anyone living with a person who has Hepatitis B
• Public safety and healthcare workers
• Newborn babies whose birth-giver has hepatitis

Screening & Testing⁽¹⁰²⁾

• Blood tests for both acute and chronic infections

Treatment

• Treatment for Acute Hepatitis B is aimed at treating and managing symptoms.
• People with Chronic Hepatitis B can take prescribed medications and will be closely monitored by your doctor to prevent progression and complications of Hepatitis B.
• For people who may have been exposed to Hepatitis B, there is a vaccination that can be administered within 24 hours of exposure.

Prevention⁽²⁸⁾

• Maintaining good hygiene and washing your hands
• Use condoms and practice safe sex
• Do not share personal items such as razors or toothbrushes
• Ensure any medical or drug injection equipment used is sterilized and not shared
• Talk to a medical professional about Getting Vaccinated!

Who should get vaccinated?⁽¹⁰²⁾

• All newborns
• Anyone who is 19 years of age and has not yet been vaccinated
• Individuals at risk from sexual or blood exposure
• Individuals ages 19-59 who have diabetes, and some diabetic individuals 60 or older should ask a medical professional
• Any individual travelling to a country where Hepatitis B is prevalent
• People who have Hepatitis C, chronic liver disease, HIV, are in jail or prison
• Any individual who wants protection against Hepatitis B

Symptoms⁽¹⁰³⁾

• Often, people will not show any signs and symptoms.
• Symptoms often only appear about 8 weeks to 5 months after exposure, with an average of 90 days
• Symptoms include: fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen or joints, light colored stools, dark urine, and yellow-coloured skin (Jaundice)

Who is at greater risk?

• Individuals who have a sexually transmitted infection or HIV
• Individuals who inject drugs
• Anyone with certain underlying health conditions (for example those requiring hemodialysis)
• Individuals who engage in anal sex or sexual activity with multiple people
• Healthcare and public safety workers

Screening & Testing

• Blood tests for both acute and chronic infections

Treatment⁽²⁸⁾

• Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C can be treated with the use of medications to manage symptoms and antivirals to prevent complications of Hepatitis C

Prevention

• Maintaining good hygiene and wash your hands
• Do not share personal items such as razors or toothbrushes
• Use condoms, practice safe sex and reduce the number of people you have sex with
• Do not engage in activities that can cause transmission and put you at risk – don’t share needles or medical equipment to inject drugs
• There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C