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The Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a brand new awareness campaign A, B, C is just the start.
The move follows increases in diagnoses of hepatitis B and C, and increasing calls from gay
men for clarity on how hepatitis C is transmitted.
Will Nutland Head of Health Promotion at health promotion charity Terrence Higgins Trust told OutUK:
"Hepatitis A and B are easily avoided through free vaccinations offered to all gay and
bisexual men at sexual health clinics. However we know from research that only 50%
of gay men have completed a course of vaccinations against hepatitis B.
The three types of hepatitis can vary in severity, but each of them can make you
unwell – sometimes seriously – for weeks or longer. What’s worse is that all three
can potentially cause serious complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer and
other liver diseases. These complications can ultimately be fatal.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be easily prevented through vaccinations, which
are available free of charge from sexual health centres. Currently there is no vaccination
against Hepatitis C, but you can take precautions to prevent it from being passed on.
Will says "We want to encourage all gay men to get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B,
and find out more about the condition by visiting
www.hepinfo.org"
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