"Hepatitis' basically means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A (HAV/hep A) is transmitted through food and water and from person to person by contaminated faeces. Many people are not aware that they have been infected by the virus.

Hepatitis B (HBV/hep B) is found in body fluids; blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk, and transmitted through unsafe injecting, un-sterile tattooing and can be transmitted sexually.

There is currently no vaccination available for hep C, however vaccinations against hep A and B are available and are important considerations for both people with hep C and those at risk of contracting the virus. Being co-infected with hepatitis C and other viruses can increases both the severity and rate of liver damage and can make potential treatment complicated.

Vaccination provides protection against hep A and/or hep B in people who have not been exposed in the past. If a person has been infected previously, vaccination is not necessarily required. The only way to be sure if a person has been exposed to either virus in the past is by doing a blood test which looks for antibodies.

A vaccination against both hep A and hep B is available currently as a single course of three injections over six months. Your local doctor can provide the vaccinations, but there may be a cost. At times Sexual Health clinics and needle and syringe programs (NSPs) provide the vaccination for free - this service may be advertised in local newspapers, NSPs, drug user groups and other relevant services.

The risk of hep A and hep B transmission can be reduced by:

• Washing your hands before and after using the toilet, eating and handling food,
• Using your own sterile injecting equipment every time you inject (including fits, water, spoon, tourniquet and filter).
• Always using condoms and lube for vaginal and anal sex, and
• By GETTING VACCINATED.