Risk of sexually transmitted hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is mainly transmitted through eating, drinking, blood, fecal-oral route or sharing needles. However, having sex can also put you at risk of transmitting some hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis A is spread by the fecal-oral route, which means it can happen through direct oral-anal contact or contact with fingers or objects in or near the anus of an infected person. Even if only a small amount of virus-laden stools accidentally enter the mouth, the possibility of infection is also possible.

Hepatitis B can be sexually transmitted and according to some studies it spreads 50-100 times faster than HIV. Hepatitis B is found in vaginal secretions, saliva, and semen. Oral sex and especially anal sex, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are ways of transmitting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is not spread through holding hands, hugging, kissing… However, because the hepatitis B virus is found in saliva, the risk of transmission through deep kissing can occur and this risk is increased if you you have a cut or open sore in your mouth.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood. It is usually spread when a person comes into contact with the blood of another person who has the virus through sharing needles, syringes, personal care items such as razors or nail clippers, tattoos or piercings. Hepatitis C is rarely found in semen, saliva, or vaginal fluids. The hepatitis C virus found in semen is usually at low levels that are difficult to cause infection.

Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted from one person to another during sex. Even so, the risk of transmission can still occur if sexual activity involves blood contact, such as anal sex, vigorous sex, sex during menstruation. no condoms. The rate of hepatitis C transmission through sex is usually higher in men who have sex with men, 10-15 times higher than in the general population.

The researchers also suggest another route of hepatitis transmission is through sex toys. Because the hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for a week or more, using unsanitary sex toys still carries a risk of hepatitis transmission.

People who are at risk for hepatitis or have signs of hepatitis should talk openly with their sexual partners to find ways to prevent them. When there are signs of yellowing of the skin, eyes, or other symptoms of hepatitis such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, joint or abdominal pain and clay-colored bowel movements, etc. The patient should have a blood test to determine the disease status.

Mr. Chi (Follow WebMD, Healthline)