Hepatitis – Infectious Liver Inflammation

All three types of the hepatitis virus are transmitted sexual contact. Learn more about hepatitis below.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It has different causes, for instance, alcohol, inappropriate diet and various viruses. In terms of sexual intercourse, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most dangerous ones because the hepatitis virus is located in the sperm, vaginal discharge and blood. However, there are considerable differences among the three types of hepatitis, and for that reason they are separately presented below.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by a Picornavirus. The virus is found in feces and it spreads through feces  because of poor sanitary conditions. In many cases, the shellfish bred in water polluted with feces are often contaminated. Hepatitis A is not transmitted through sexual contact, but make sure you practice good hygiene. Use a condom for anal intercourse and never have anal and oral intercourse without proper preparation. The penis needs to be washed properly. Every contact with the feces of an infected person is dangerous. This also includes washing your hands in public toilets. If you have intercourse in the heat of passion, you have to wash your hands immediately after the intercourse. The virus is in the feces of an infected person at least three weeks before any symptoms develop. Therefore, there is no way you can determine whether somebody is the carrier of the virus. A cure doesn't exist and the disease rarely causes a chronic condition which can be fatal.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family, more precisely a Orthohepadnavirus. It is passed on through blood, sperm or vaginal fluids, saliva, urine and the milk of a breastfeeding mother. The virus is easily spread during sexual intercourse. Most people infected with the virus recover without developing any symptoms and they become permanently immune. Permanent carriers of the infection are 10 per cent of people who recover from it, and they suffer from the so-called chronic hepatitis. These people in particular have to be careful when having sexual relations. It is best if they find a person immune to the virus. You become immune if you are vaccinated against the virus. Generally, vaccination is compulsory for children, family members of people with a chronic infection and their sexual partners, dialysis patients and health care staff. Other people can be vaccinated on their own initiative. There is no cure if they develop the disease. Certain antivirus drugs have an effect on some patients, but that is of little comfort.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, more precisely a Hepacivirus. These viruses cause a number of diseases (e.g. Denga fever, Nile fever, etc.) by spreading through mosquitoes. Among people, they spread  through contact with infected blood, which does not meant that you are safe. Small lesions are very common in sexual intercourse because of rubbing, and there may be blood in the sperm and saliva (e.g. bleeding gums). You are therefore likely to get infected during sexual intercourse. Similar to the above infections, a lot of people are not aware of the infection and they easily recover from it, but some people have serious problems. It is very dangerous if you are also infected with hepatitis A or hepatitis B. You should not overburden your liver (e.g. alcohol and high-fat food). Treatment of hepatitis C includes a combination of drugs, that is, interferon alfa injections and ribavirin capsules. The treatment is 50 per cent effective, depending on the genotype of the virus.

Find more advice on sexually transmitted diseases in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.