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The risk of infection during sex can be lowered by things like washing hands after sex, using latex gloves for fingering and fisting, condoms for fucking and avoiding rimming (or doing it through a latex barrier such as a condom cut into a square). When abroad high risk food such as seafood, raw or unpeeled food should be avoided.
But vaccination is the quickest, easiest and most effective way of avoiding infection. This usually means two injections six months apart. Only after the last injection does someone get complete protection. Ten years later a booster injection may be needed. There is a combined vaccine that protects against hepatitis A and B at the same time.
Vaccination isn’t needed if you’ve already had hepatitis A as you’re now immune and can’t get it again.
Where to get vaccinated
Because gay and bisexual men are at higher risk of getting hepatitis A, Governnment guidelines say they are recommended for free vaccination (as are people travelling to countries where hepatitis A is very common).
The vaccine is available from some sexual health clinics, travel clinics or GP surgeries. A doctor will ask why you want to be vaccinated. You might not want to say you’re gay or bisexual or have this on your medical notes. You could say you’re travelling to a country where the virus is common (such as South East Asia).
As not all sexual health clinics offer hepatitis A vaccine, ring round to find one that does. If you’re a gay or bisexual man who’s refused the vaccine it might be worth reminding the doctor or clinic that Government guidelines say you’re in a high risk group who qualify for free vaccination. For details of local clinics click here.
If someone has recently had the kind of contact with an infected person that might pass on hepatitis A, the vaccine can be given soon afterwards (ideally within 7 days but possibly up to 14) to protect them from getting infected. A doctor can give advice on this.
People with HIV are recommended to be vaccinated as the infection can be more serious if you’re HIV positive. As the vaccine can make your HIV viral load go up (but only for a short time) it’s best to let your HIV doctor know if you get vaccinated.
Do you have a question about Hepatitis A that is not answered on this website? Try www.britishlivertrust.org.uk.
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