Kevin's Guide to Nelson, New Zealand - Health and Safer Sex issues for men (Hepatitis)

- Hepatitis

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Health Issues of importance to all men, gay or otherwise

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is of importance to all men, whether they be gay, straight, or whatever. It is not covered here in great depth, but is intended as a guide only.
For further detailed information and/or proper diagnosis of any medical problem, refer to a qualified registered medical practitioner - in other words, see your doctor.

Hepatitis types

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr Hepatitis (associated with glandular fever) and cytomegalic Hepatitis were until recently, the major identifiable forms of viral hepatitis. A further group was given the uncomfortable name of non A, non B Hepatitis.
The major virus causing non A, non B Hepatitis is now designated Hepatitis C, which is the most common form of hepatitis following blood transfusion and can be spread in ways other than through blood.
Hepatitis D (also referred to as the Delta Agent) can cause infection only in association with Hepatitis B and therefore is only of special significance because of the high level of Hepatitis B in New Zealand.
The most recent advance is the successful identification of the virus causing enterically transmitted non A, non B Hepatitis, provisionally named Hepatitis E virus (which has epidemiological and clinical features similar to Hepatitis A).

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A is the one that we hear least about of these two. It is not as severe (or fatal) as Hepatitis B, but is a lot easier to catch.
One of the main transmission routes of Hepatitis A, can happen just by someone not washing their hands before preparing food, or after going to the toilet, or at the other end of the scale, rimming (the term used to describe tonguing, or licking around the anus).
Hepatitis B on the other hand, is present in blood, sweat, semen, and other bodily fluids (the same as HIV). It is passed on the same way as HIV, by getting into your blood stream from someone else with the illness, through unsafe sex practices, small cuts, sharing needles, etc.
New Zealand has the highest rate of Hepatitis B in the Western world.
Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS can both be prevented by safe sex practices, including the use of condoms.

Hepatitis C

The importance of sexual and perinatal transmission of Hepatitis C is uncertain. It is clear, however, that it is transmitted through blood and blood products in the same way as other blood-borne viruses, such as Hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The universal precautions taken by health workers and others handling blood and body fluids to protect themselves from Hepatitis B and HIV will also provide protection from Hepatitis C. The advice to patients who may be anti-HCV positive, in terms of prevention of transmission of Hepatitis C, would, of necessity, be similar to that given to those who are anti-HIV or HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) positive.
This advice would include:-

Do not donate blood
Do not share injection or other equipment that penetrates the skin
Advise health care workers directly involved with your care (e.g. dentist) of your infection status
Do not share personal equipment (razors, toothbrushes etc.)
Wipe up blood spills with bleach
Clean/dispose of blood stained material properly
Use safe sex practices

What to look for

The signs and symptoms for all forms of Hepatitis are similar. They may not show for 2 weeks or 6 months after the date of infection. Some people may have a severe reaction and display all signs and symptoms very quickly, while others may not show many of them at all and then only very mildly (and possibly go un-noticed).
As with all things medical, get a proper diagnosis from a doctor, not from what you read on the Internet or from a book, or hear from a friend.
Things to look for include:-

nausea and vomiting
yellowing of the skin and eyes [the whites of the eyes] known as jaundice
dark urine
pale bowel motions
a general feeling of being unwell and tiredness
loss of appetite
stomach upsets and abdominal pains
mild fever
general aches and pains

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