Most of us were probably vaccinated or immunised against some preventable diseases as children. Some lucky enough to travel may have been vaccinated before visiting certain countries where small pox and other illnesses are still common. Unfortunately, few of us have been vaccinated against preventable bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis A and B.

The facts

There are at least five human hepatitis viruses which are not related to each other. They are transmitted in different manners and cause different diseases. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common in Australia and the ones we have probably heard most about.

Not everyone with chronic hepatitis C will get sick. However, having more than one hepatitis virus (co-infection) can mean that you have a much greater chance of actually progressing to serious liver damage.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C continue to spread among injecting drug users, because both involve blood-to-blood transmission.

Preventing hepatitis A and B is much easier than preventing hepatitis C as there are safe and effective vaccinations against both viruses. There is no vaccination for hepatitis C.

Some drug users may have already been in contact with hep A and/or hepatitis B and may be immune. If you are immune you will not require vaccination. The only way to be sure is to be tested for both. Anyone with chronic hepatitis C or liver damage who shows no evidence of previous infection with hep A or B should be vaccinated.

How and where?

Ask your local needle and syringe program (NSP) or visit your local community health centre or sexual health clinic and ask about testing and vaccinations for hep A, B and C. Vaccinations for hep A and B are free if you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, or are an injecting drug user. Public pharmacotherapy programs and even some NSPs provide on site screening and vaccination, so ask. Even if they don’t they should refer you to the closest free clinic. Or you can ring NUAA for more information.

Remember, being vaccinated against hep A or B offers no protection against hep C and there is currently no vaccination for hep C. (See article on page 30 about hep C vaccination.)

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