The liver plays a crucial role in the body’s digestive processes, and also in storing vitamins and minerals. You could picture it like a chemical factory of our body which neutralises poisonous substances and breaks down) substances such as alcohol.

Liver diseases can be extremely dangerous as they rarely produce any obvious symptoms in the early stages. This is often the case with diseases such as hepatitis. There are 3 main types – Hepatitis A, B & C.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is wide spread in the poorer areas of the world where people have limited access to sanitation and clean water. You can become infected by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. This type of hepatitis does not cause chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis A symptoms include:

• Mild fever
• Joint and muscle pain
• Feeling and being sick
• Diarrhoea

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is spread the same manner as HIV – through blood and bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids. But it is approximately 100 times more infectious.  Hepatitis B can be chronic and can cause permanent damage to the liver.

Hepatitis B symptoms include:

• Flu like symptoms
• Feeling and being sick
• Lack of appetite
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood to blood contact. This type of hepatitis often does not cause any symptoms and as a result does not tend to get diagnosed until the later stages of the disease. By this time, the liver can already be permanently damaged

Symptoms of the hepatitis C are:

• Flu like symptoms
• Depression
• Tiredness

Prevention

To prevent hepatitis A and B we offer vaccinations at both of our clinics. Book an appointment at the time that suits you.

There is unfortunately no vaccination for hepatitis C. To minimize the risk of being infected there are a few things you can do:

• Practice safe sex using condoms
• Carefully select tattoo or piercing salons carefully
• Don’t share personal care items that can be exposed to blood (including razors or tooth brushes)

If you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis C we strongly advise you to virus arrange an appointment with a GP. Our experienced doctors are here for you.

Hepatitis infection can be discovered by having simple blood tests with turnaround time 4 to 12 hours. We offer:

• Hepatitis A Antibodies                   £75
• Hepatitis B Antibodies                  £75
• Hepatitis C Antibodies                   £75
• Hepatitis Screen (A/B/C)              £195