Warning: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Click Continue to proceed or Back for other Channel 4 programmes about health and wellbeing.

Conditions

Hepatitis

Chronic and persistent Hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, of which there are three main types: A, B and C. But if you feel like you’re about to embark on a Sesame Street-style alphabetical journey into the world of hepatitis, think again. Because Hepatitis B, which can be spread through the exchange of blood and body fluids during unprotected sex, or through dirty needles and contaminated blood products, is 100 times more infectious than HIV! However, many people may not even realise they have been infected with the virus, as symptoms may not develop immediately, or at all. Hepatitis C is also spread through the exchange of blood or blood products, or through sharing needles and needlestick accidents. And Hepatitis A can be caught through the faecal contamination of food and water or through poor personal hygiene or sanitation. There is often no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. However, with pain relief for symptoms, rest, a healthy diet, and abstention from alcohol, most people tend to be symptom free, or recover completely within a couple of months. Chronic hepatitis (caused only by B and C) may be treated with intravenous antiviral medication.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I myself have just finished 48 weeks of combi-therapy for hepatitis c type 1. It was the most gruelling year of my life but I cleared the virus and it was worth it, that 1 year may have put another 15-20 years on. Go get tested!!

j had hep a 10 years a go when i was in mexico the thing iwas not that sick they say hep a is mild and not long term my liver functon went back to normal my gp says i know amunirty to hep a ? i can never catch it again?? he felt my liver and said u are healthy and 1000,s of people have had hep a and never know they have had it as it can very mild infection

I am worried i may have Hepatitis as my AlT was 68 when i got a test done… I have had another test to see whats wrong but what can i look out for just now to check i do not have it??

my mother has hepetitis A and C before i was born, i was tested when i was 11 years old and i came back negative, is that possible, I have a terrible fear of needles so would rather not get tested again

Icontracted hep c through a blood transfusion in the 80,s. i have had treatment,now im clear. i joined a support group to help others whilst raising money for our cause. we tring to find ways to raise awareness,but we need people like yourself to raise are profile.

hi just had a blood test gp states st ? was 140 should be 40? and the liver is swollen, i don't drink much as i fall asleep quickly suffer from ME, had polio as a child and have gout(still working though)gp has taken me off alopurinol (gout) latest test all i got was its improving.. still very worried and concerned any idea's out there?

hep c (which i have) is transmitted sexually only if both have blood to blood. ie:- you have cut or been menstruating and he has open wound on penis or somewhere. is blood to blood. hep c organisation are trying to get it removed from std list

i had hepB when i was 18 i have since had 2 kids but nobody has told me wheather my kids have got it or been tested for it! help plz

ive been getting pins and needles in my hands for 10 months.i am a smoker have done for 18 years im only 29 this year.is this cancer my dad was a smoker and died in july 3 weeks after i got married that was of cancer can you help me.

What are the symptoms??




This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published - it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 were to need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don't swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


Videos

  1. Christian Jessen

    Dr Christian Jessen

    Find out more about Dr Christian Jessen

  2. Dr Dawn Harper

    Dr Dawn Harper

    Find out more about Dr Dawn Harper

  3. Anal warts examination

    Consultation: Anal Warts

    Dr Dawn Harper diagnoses a patient with anal warts

  4. Semen Body check with Dr Christian Jessen

    Body Check: Semen

    Dr Christian discusses the importance of semen and what it can tell you about your health.

  5. Stool Body check with Dr Christian Jessen

    Body Check: Stools

    Dr Christian describes what different shapes and colours of poo can tell you about your state of health.

  6. Urine Body check with Dr Christian Jessen

    Body Check: Urine

    Dr Christian talks about potential health problems that can be spotted from checking your urine.

  7. Am I Normal - After Sex

    Am I Normal After Sex

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal after sex, including discussions with the cast of Hollyoaks.


Advertisement