Hepatitis A, B and C

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). As a general rule, hepatitis A infection heals of its own account and does not call for specific treatment. Having suffered from the disease in the past protects against re-infection. You can protect yourself by a vaccination.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Very often, hepatitis B infection heals of its own account and does, in these cases, not call for specific treatment. However, in 5 to 10 per cent of all cases, it does not heal by itself and becomes chronic. In these cases, specific medication can help cure the infection. Sometimes, this medication has to be taken for several months or even years. It may even be necessary to take these specific drugs for life in order to suppress virus replication. A vaccination against hepatitis B exists and protects against the infection. 

You will find testing services for hepatitis A and B under Search in the results for „other services”. Further information on hepatitis A and B can be found under aidshilfe.de and liebesleben.de (most content in German only).

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In most cases, hepatitis C infection follows a chronic course, i.e. it does not heal on its own account. By now, hepatitis C infection can be cured in 95 per cent of all cases. Modern Interferon-free therapies are very well tolerated and are administered for eight to twelve weeks. There is no vaccination against hepatitis C and a successful treatment does not protect against re-infection. The best protection against hepatitis C infection is to always use your own equipment when injecting (intravenous) or sniffing (nasal) drugs.