The ABC's of Hepatitis

Still lots to learn about hep.

Hepatitis means that your liver is sick because you've caught a virus. There are many kinds of hep because there are many kinds of viruses. Along with A, B and C, doctors have now discovered hep types D, E, F and G. Not much is known about these kinds of hep. Very serious cases of hep can lead to liver damage, cancer, and even death.

Lots of people get mild cases of hep. They may think they just have a flu. They won't know they have hep if they don't go to a doctor to find out. Sometimes a person's skin and eyes turn yellow but you can't tell whether someone has hepatitis or not just by looking at them. Someone can look and feel healthy and still give you hep. You can get diarrhea or fevers from hep. Hep can also make your piss dark, and make you feel tired, sick to your stomach, not hungry and headachy.

Hep A is easy to get.

And it's easy to spread. Hep A is a virus that lives in shit, even tiny amounts of shit that are too small to see. Hep A goes away. Once you've had Hep A, you can't get it again.

You can get Hep A from:

  • rimming (licking ass);
  • sucking cock that has been in the ass of someone who has it;
  • getting shit on your hands.
You can get Hep A if it gets up your ass (like on a finger). You can get Hep A from taking care of someone who's sick with it, even by sharing a glass or pipe. You can also get Hep A from contaminated water.

Protect yourself from Hep A.

You can get a shot from the doctor to help protect you from hep A. But it only lasts three months! You should get a shot if:

  • someone you spend lots of time with gets Hep A, or;
  • you're going to a country where Hep A is in the water.

You can carry
Hep B for life.

Hep B is in blood, cum, vagina juices and spit. For most people Hep B will go away. But some people carry Hep B and can spread it for the rest of their lives. A few people even die from Hep B. You can get a test to see if you carry Hep B, or if you've had Hep B and are now protected from it. If you've never had Hep B you can get a free vaccine. But you must get three shots over six months. Ask about the Hep B vaccine at an STD clinic or your doctor's office.

Hep C is only in blood.

Hep C is easy to catch if you use needles. Some people get rid of Hep C, but most people who get Hep C have it for life. You can get a test to see if you're carrying Hep C.

Protect yourself from Hep B and Hep C.

  • Use condoms for fucking.
  • If you shoot drugs, use clean needles.
  • Avoid blood.
  • Don't share toothbrushes, or razors.

Wash with soap:

  • before and after sex;
  • if you get blood on you;
  • if you're around someone who might have Hep A.

For free info about hepatitis call:

  • Canadian Liver Foundation
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 681-4588
  • Ministry of Health info line
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-461-8182

    For free info and testing for STDs contact:

  • AIDS & STDs Clinic . . . . . .
    		• . . . . . . . . . . . . 828 W. 10th Ave., 660-6161
  • Richards St. Clinic . . . . . . . .
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . 1237 Richards St., 660-6776
  • Main St. Clinic . . . . . . . . . . .
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Main St., 660-9695
  • Safe Company . . . . . . . . . . .
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1170 Bute St., 660-7949
  • AIDS Vancouver Helpline
    		•  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687-AIDS
  • B.C. AIDSline . . . . . . . . . . .
    		• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872-6652
    More Health Info Cards... [Safe Sex Tips] [Rights Groups]
    Created: July 26, 1995
    Last modified: March 17, 1997
         		SWAV Sex Workers Alliance of Vancouver
    Box 3075, Vancouver, BC V6B 3X6
    Tel: +1 (604) 488-0710
    Email: swav@walnet.org