Both Hepatitis B and C are serious liver viral infections that can have devastating consequences if they are not diagnosed early. In the UK, it is assumed that a considerable number of individuals are chronically infected with these viruses yet have not progressed to the obvious symptomatic stage. This phenomenon places not only themselves but also their partners and the wider population at risk. Clinically, there is a great benefit to early diagnosis of these conditions as with it, there will also be timely initiation of strategic plans to control the conditions, thus saving a lot of patients the consequences of infection. This is particularly important for sexually active individuals. In this regard, this article explores the other ‘secrets’ of sexually active individuals, which is, routine screening for Hepatitis B and C.
What are Hepatitis B & C?
To clarify, we are going to define these viruses, to help you. Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver and Hepatitis B and C are caused by viruses that directly attack the liver. Consider the liver as the body’s filter; it processes toxins, stores energy, and helps digest food. Once a virus damages the liver, it’s efficiency and ability to do all those important functions declines and then can lead to serious health issues over time. Think about that when it comes to Hepatitis B & C.
They both attack the liver, but there are differences. The important difference being that hepatitis B can be vaccinated for prevention, but once you have contracted it, it can become chronic. On the other hand, Hepatitis C has no vaccine, though modern treatments can cure most cases. One thing they share? They’re stealthy. Many people live with these infections without realising it until irreversible damage has occurred.
How Are Hepatitis B and C Transmitted?
When it comes to how these viruses spread, knowing the facts is essential for protecting yourself and others. Both Hepatitis B and C can indeed be sexually transmitted. Hepatitis B is more commonly sexually transmitted because it can be found in body fluids including semen and vaginal secretions, while Hepatitis C is more common in drug use and sharing needle practices. But sex isn’t the only culprit. Blood-to-blood contact—such as sharing needles, razors, or tattoo equipment—is another common route, particularly for Hepatitis C.
Pregnant women with either virus also risk passing it to their babies during childbirth. There are plenty of myths out there, so let’s clear things up. Hepatitis B and C cannot be transmitted through social contact (kissing, hugging, sharing a utensil). Transmitting Hepatitis B or C to your sexual partner can happen when safe sex practices are ignored and is real risk when involved in high-risk behaviours. Knowing the facts and knowing the risk can only help you make safer choices.
The Importance of Testing for Hepatitis B and C
Imagine that you are carrying an unseen danger, which is silently harming your liver, while you don’t even know it. This is the case for many people who live with Hepatitis B or C, because both infections are usually asymptomatic, and can be potentially life-threatening or harmful. By the time you exhibit some of the potential symptoms like fatigue, jaundice or abdominal pain a significant amount of harm to the liver has already occurred. If you have chronic Hepatitis B and/or C, these infections can obviously have hurtful, perhaps even devastating consequences.
Untreated Hepatitis B and C infections significantly increase the risk of developing cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma (an aggressive form of liver cancer). Screening early for Hepatitis B and C changes everything. If you have a diagnosis of Hepatitis B with screening, there are some effective antiviral treatment options in managing it and for complete cure of Hepatitis C with screening. Regular screening is just to keep your mind at ease and assure you have control over your future.
Who Should be Screened?
Screening is not just for people who think they may have been exposed; there are certain groups of people who have a higher degree of risk. If you are in any of the following categories, you should consider being screened:
- Individuals who have multiple sexual partners
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Individuals who inject drugs or share needles
- Healthcare professionals who have had contact with blood products
- Anyone born outside the UK, where Hepatitis B or C are endemic conditions.
The NHS recommends screening routinely for these groups of people, and most private clinics are equipped to meet any screening needs. How often should you be screened? It depends on your lifestyle and the level of risk, but if you are an active person, an annual test is a good place to start.
What Happens During Screening?
If screening makes you anxious don’t be afraid; its pretty simple and doesn’t hurt. Generally speaking, a healthcare provider would draw a small blood sample from your arm and test for a few markers:
- Antibody tests: This type of screening detects if you have ever been exposed to the virus
- Viral load tests: This type of screening determines how much virus is present in your bod y
- Liver function tests: This type of test can tell whether or not your liver is stressed or damaged.
Although you may be nervous about getting screened, private sexual health screenings in the UK are discreet and convenient and usually a few days or less to get results. In fact, some places in the Uk allow you to pick an at home testing kit thus making it extremely easy.
What To Do After You Test Positive
Testing positive can feel alarming, but keep in mind that a positive diagnosis is not a death sentence. After testing positive, the very next step is to undergo confirmatory testing to ensure your positive test was accurate. Then you can see a specialist for treatment. Modern medicine is up to date in that we have excellent treatments—antiretroviral medications suppress Hepatitis B and we can cure Hepatitis C altogether! Just as important, if you are sexually active, you will want to inform recent sexual partners, so they can test as well. Practicing safer sex moving forward is important for protecting yourself and your loved ones. You can also communicate with partners about your status, which serves to build trust and accountability, as well.
Preventing Hepatitis B and C Transmission
Prevention truly is better than cure. Here’s how you can minimise your risk:
- Engage in Safe Sexual Practices: Consistent condom use dramatically reduces the chances of transmission.
- Vaccination against Hepatitis B: The vaccine is available for free from the NHS and it has been shown to be effective.
- Do not share needles or personal items: Sharing items like razors or toothbrushes can leave traces of infected blood.
- Education: The UK has public health campaigns that strive to raise awareness – participate and learn! Education is key to prevention. If people understand how the viruses spread, they will make better choices every day.
Conclusion
Regular screening for Hepatitis B and C is not only important for your own health, but also for the health of those around you. These are silent infections, so it is important to be vigilant. If you detect them early, then treatment options are available that may alter the evolution of your disease. Whether you choose to access an NHS service or private clinic, your health is worth taking active steps towards. Do not wait for symptoms to present. Book a screening today and take control of your journey in sexual health. What’s more, by being proactive about caring for your body is always a worthwhile venture. Are you ready to go? You can visit trusted UK resources, including NHS Sexual Health Services, or you can check out private services, like STI Clinic London. Remember, your health is not worth leaving to chance. Make an appointment and feel good you’re doing something right for you, and your community!
