Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is encouraging gay men to learn more about hepatitis A, B and C today -  World Hepatitis Day which is May 19.
 
Hepatitis A, B and C are viruses which cause inflammation of the liver. A, B and C are different viruses and people can pick them up and pass them on in different ways. Some sexual and drug-taking activities can put you at greater risk.
 
THT’s web site, www.hepinfo.org, includes full information on hepatitis A, B and C.  The website clearly explains the difference between the three most common types of hepatitis, how to prevent them and where to go for a test or treatment. Increasingly, many gay men are seeking information about hepatitis C, for which there is currently no preventative vaccine.
Hepatitis C is seen as the most harmful as most people who get hepatitis C don’t clear the infection from their body and stay infectious to others. Hepatitis C can go undiagnosed for many years as it often causes no obvious symptoms but it can cause serious damage such as liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
 
Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said:
"Hepatitis A and B are easily avoided through free vaccinations offered to all gay and bisexual men at sexual health clinics but many men haven’t taken this up. It’s important that men know the facts about all the different types of Hepatitis and also how to reduce their risk. Check out the website and learn your hepatitis ABCs.”