Thursday, 28th July 2016
Today marks the World Health Organization's World Hepatitis Day. It acts as an opportunity for people to find out more about hepatitis and to take action on hepatitis by testing regularly and getting treatment and vaccinations as soon as possible.
Hepatitis means 'inflammation of the liver' and it can be caused by viruses passed on during sex or injecting drugs. Different viruses cause different types of hepatitis, some of which are more serious than others.
Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common viruses. Vaccinations can protect against hepatitis A and B, but not against hepatitis C. A combined vaccine protects against both A and B.
Although everyone could be at risk of hepatitis if they have unprotected sex, there are a number of people who may be at higher risk, which include:
- men who have sex with men
- commercial sex workers
- injecting drug users
In Leicester, if you access the sexual health services, including Trade's CLINIC xtra and men's sauna clinics and receive a full screening, which includes a blood test, this will test for Hepatitis B and C.
The Hepatits B vaccination programme is available to the high risk groups that we have mentioned, which includes a number of communities that we work with here at Trade. The vaccination programme is quick and easy and just takes 3 pricks, over the course of 3 months and can be started by accessing our men's sauna clinics. To find out how to book your Hepatitis B vaccincation through the sauna clinics, click here. Alternatively, contact the local sexual health services for more places to start the vaccincation programme.
