Having an STI increases the risk of HIV transmission regardless of whether it is the HIV-positive partner or the HIV-negative partner
It is a good idea for anyone having sex to get tested regularly and treated for STIs if necessary
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus is an infection that can cause severe damage to your liver, sometimes resulting in death.
It is a very common infection around the world, particularly in Africa, the Indian sub-continent, and throughout the rest of Asia. Many gay men with HIV are also infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B infection is also common in people who inject drugs. Between 5 and 10% of people diagnosed with HIV are also infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This is often called co- infection.
SYMPTOMS
The majority of adults who are infected with hepatitis B have no symptoms to suggest that they have the infection, and it is often only diagnosed by routine blood tests and monitoring of the health of the liver. Even if you have no symptoms at all, you can still pass on the virus to others.
However, symptoms may occur soon after infection. These can include some of the following:
- A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Loss of appetite.
- Pain in the stomach.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- High temperature.
- Joint and muscle aches and a general feeling of being unwell.
These symptoms can be severe and, in some rare cases, can cause death.
TRANSMISSION
The reason why so many people with HIV have hepatitis B is because it can be spread in a similar way to HIV, by contact with infected body fluids like blood, semen and vaginal fluid, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery.
Although small amounts of hepatitis B virus can be found in saliva, saliva is not likely to spread the infection, unless saliva from an infected person gets into a cut or sore.
PREVENTION
A vaccine is availible to prevent you contracting Hep B. Please see a doctor if you think you are at risk of contracting it.
Using a condom for anal, vaginal and oral sex reduces the chances of hepatitis B being passed on during sex. Similarly, you should never share needles or other injecting drug equipment.
What happens if I test positive?
Take comfort in the fact that most STIs are treatable with the correct medication. Seeing a doctor at the first sign of symptoms will ensure that your STI will be treated quickly and easily.
If you have any questions be sure to contact our staff at [email protected]
We also suggest that contact your most recent sexual partners to advise them that they need to get tested.
