There are five hepatitis viruses that affect the liver: A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses, which may cause similar symptoms, are very different. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and B.

If you are sexually active, make STI(sexually transmitted infection) testing part of your routine. Blood testing is the primary way of diagnosing hepatitis. You have a few options:

Hepatitis B can be a serious disease. The virus is usually contracted through sharing any drug injection equipment or during sex. Most adults who get the disease recover from it and can never get it again. However, about 10% of adults who get the disease will carry the virus for a long time and during this time can pass it on to others. Carriers have the virus in their body fluids and can infect sex partners. Each year in the US, almost 80,000 because infected with hepatitis B, and there are about 1.2 million in the US with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Some people with hepatitis B show little or no signs of the disease. But, a variety of symptoms, including: jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes and skin), weakness, feeling ill, loss of appetite, fever, headaches, dark colored urine, pale/gray bowel movements, low-grade fever, headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches, stomach pain, and fatigue.

Of course, a lot of these symptoms may be indications of other diseases and that’s why it’s important to get tested if you are experiencing these symptoms.

There is a 3-dose vaccine that prevents hepatitis B and all MSM who are sexually active and/or using injection drugs should be vaccinated. You can get a simple blood test to show if you have been exposed or infected in the past (and are therefore already immune and do not need the vaccine. Also, some people may have a chronic infection and don’t need the vaccine).

Most people with acute hepatitis B infection get better without treatment. For those who go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, there are some treatments available. There is a vaccine that prevents the spread of hepatitis B therefore you should get vaccinated. Hepatitis B vaccination only protects against hepatitis B and not other types of viral hepatitis.

Vaccination is the best prevention for both you and your sexual partners.

If you’re already infected with hepatitis B, avoid alcohol and make sure you’re vaccinated for hepatitis A if you’re at risk. The best way to prevent infecting others is to avoid passing your bodily fluids to others. This means using condoms when you have sex and not sharing any drug injection equipment.

Hepatitis B can be a serious illness for someone with HIV. If you have chronic hepatitis B, make sure your HIV care provider is aware of your infection. As with any chronic liver infection, see a medical provider regularly, avoid alcohol and make sure you’re vaccinated for hepatitis A if you’re at risk.

For additional information about Hepatitis A, B, or C, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Hepatitis website: click here

If you’d like more information about Hepatitis D and E, visit the CDC's Hepatitis site: click here