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24 years’ experience Real Doctors Confidentiality No hidden charges
24 years’ experience
Real Doctors
Confidentiality
No hidden charges
Hepatitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation occurring specifically in the liver. Hepatitis occurs as a result of a viral infection or due to liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Each type of hepatitis can be contracted in different ways, including through food and through sexual contact.
Testing for hepatitis A, B or C is straightforward – a simple blood test will provide a result, usually within only 4 – 6 hours. Our clinic includes specialist sexual health nurses and GPs who can help you understand your risk and advise you on the best way forward.
You might also be testing to check your hepatitis B immunity. Many people have hepatitis B vaccinations every year, especially if they work in healthcare. To know whether you need a booster jab, a hepatitis B immunity test is needed.
Whatever your reasons for testing, our clinic can help. Call us or book online today.
Hepatitis usually has to become quite severe for symptoms to be apparent. This is why routine testing is so important. If symptoms do begin to show themselves, they can include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must consult a medical professional for tests and treatment as soon as possible.
Caused by the hepatitis A virus.
One can contract the hep A virus by unwittingly consuming food and drink that has been contaminated by the poo of an infected person.
Hepatitis A usually passes within a few months but in some cases, it can be severely life-threatening.
Whilst there is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, treatments are available for combating symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, as well as nausea and itching.
Caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Unlike hepatitis A, Hep B is spread through the blood of an infected person. As a result, the most common cause of hepatitis B infection is as a result of the natural connection between pregnant women and their babies. There are also some instances of hepatitis B spreading through unprotected sex and injecting drugs.
It is often manageable to fight off Hepatitis B within a couple of months if contracted as an adult. However, if you are infected as a child, you can develop a long-term chronic infection. This can then lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. In these cases, an antiviral medication is used to treat Hepatitis B.
In 2017, the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the routine immunisation programme for all children in the UK.
Caused by the hepatitis C virus and is the most common type in the UK.
It is most commonly spread through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person, for example via needles used in drug abuse.
Hepatitis C has no noticeable symptoms so it is hard to see if you’re infected.
1 in 4 people can fight off the infection but in some cases, Hep C stays in the body for many years leading to chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis and liver failure.
In these cases, an antiviral medication is used to treat Hepatitis C.
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Please note that Walk-in Clinic is a private medical centre and not an NHS service.
City Walk-in Clinic Ltd company registration no. 07472804
