HAV

HAV is mostly seen in people who travel to foreign countries where HAV is common and among sexually active gay men. You can get HAV in 3 ways:

• Contact with people infected with HAV
• Drinking water that has HAV in it
• Eating food that has HAV in it

The symptoms of HAV include high fevers, jaundice, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If you think that you may have HAV or have been around someone who has HAV, contact your healthcare provider right away.

HAV Treatment Currently, there are no treatments for HAV, but most people get rid of HAV naturally, without medication. However, there are a number of simple steps that you can take to prevent HAV:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Get an HAV vaccine—these vaccines are 94% to 100% effective

HBV

HBV is more easily spread than HIV. Like HIV, you can get it from contact with blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, but HBV can also be spread by saliva. In people with HIV, HBV can be very dangerous. Most people who are infected with HBV don't have early symptoms, so it is important for your healthcare provider to perform routine blood tests to check for infection. If you don't have HBV, ask your healthcare provider about getting an HBV vaccine that will protect you from future infection.

If you do get symptoms of HBV infection (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and a fever), see your healthcare provider immediately.

HBV Treatment

There is a vaccine that can prevent you from getting HBV. But, if you do become infected, your body may be able to recover on its own from HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will conduct tests after 6 months to see if you still have the virus. If you still have HBV after 6 months, you have "chronic" HBV infection. Several drugs are available that can clear the virus from your body or reduce the chances of further damage to your liver.

HCV

HCV is most commonly transmitted through sexual activity or injection drug use. HCV is not the same as HBV, but the symptoms are similar. Like HBV, people with HCV can sometimes clear the infection from their bodies naturally. People who don't clear themselves of HCV have chronic HCV infection. Infection with HCV may be worse in patients who also have HIV.

HCV Treatment

Although HCV is difficult to treat, there are drugs available. You and your healthcare provider will need to keep tabs on how your liver is working. Talk with your healthcare provider about available treatment options and whether they are right for you.

Cirrhosis

Chronic HBV or HCV, or long-term heavy drinking, can cause permanent scarring to your liver, called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can cause your liver to shrink in size and not work properly. Cirrhosis can cause internal bleeding and swelling of the abdomen. It can also increase your chances of getting liver cancer. If you have HBV or HCV, heavy drinking can further damage your liver and greatly increase your chances of getting liver cancer.