Key points
- Gay and bisexual men are at increased risk for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
- Left untreated, hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause serious liver problems and even death.
- Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but most people can be cured with timely treatment.
The risk of viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can be spread through sex and cause the liver to become inflamed.
Infections are high among men who have sex with men, which puts gay and bisexual men at an increased risk for transmission or becoming infected.
Get vaccinated
Understanding viral hepatitis
While hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can all cause damage to the liver, they have important differences.
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virus can be found in |
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| Transmission | By ingesting even small amounts of the virus through close personal contact, sex with a person who is infected with the virus, or eating or drinking contaminated food or drink. | Through exposure to the blood or bodily fluids that contain blood from a person who is infected with the virus, which can occur through sharing needles/syringes to inject drugs or having sex. | Through exposure to the blood or bodily fluids that contain blood from a person who is infected with the virus, which can occur through sharing needles/syringes to inject drugs or having sex. |
| Symptoms |
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| Severity | People can be sick for a few weeks to a few months. Most people recover without liver damage. In some cases, people have been hospitalized and even died. | While many adults infected with hepatitis B can resolve their infection without treatment, some do go on to develop a chronic, or lifelong illness. Chronic hepatitis B can develop into a serious disease resulting in long-term health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. | While some people spontaneously resolve a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, most develop chronic infection which can lead to liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or death. |
| Treatments | To treat the symptoms of hepatitis A, doctors usually recommend rest, a balanced diet with healthy food and plenty of fluids. Some people will need medical care in a hospital. | If needed, treatments for chronic hepatitis B can slow down or delay liver damage and reduce the risk of liver cancer. | Highly effective, well-tolerated curative antiviral treatments are available for hepatitis C. |
Preventing viral hepatitis
Vaccination can prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccines. CDC recommends all eligible gay and bisexual men get vaccinated against both the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite this recommendation, adult vaccination rates remain low.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines can be given separately or as a combination vaccine and require 2–3 shots, depending on the type of vaccine.
Get vaccinated
Need help finding a vaccine? Visit the VaccineFinder.
Preventing hepatitis C
There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Therefore, the best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease. If you suspect a patient has been exposed, testing and treatment can prevent complications and interrupt transmission.