Hepatitis A, B and C

Page last reviewed 5.11.2025

Hepatitis is a liver infection caused by a virus. There is several different strains of the virus (e.g. A, B and C). Hepatitis is a common disease in the world. The most common virus strain in Finland is hepatitis C, which is spread in Finland mainly among people who use drugs. Hepatitis caused by a virus strain can lead to either mild, acute or chronic inflammatory disease.

Hepatitis infections obtained through sex are very rare in Finland, and hepatitis is not thought to be as a sexually transmitted disease. Hepatitis testing is mainly carried out in primary healthcare, where treatment practices vary by client group and by welfare area. Testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C are free of charge in Finland. For hepatitis A, the usual public healthcare health centre and outpatient clinic fees are payable.

There is a vaccine against hepatitis A and B that people in the risk group can get free of charge. The risk group includes men who have sex with men. The vaccine should be obtained from your local health center. There is medication for hepatitis C that completely cures it. There are many ways to contract hepatitis, and this section focuses on contracting hepatitis through sex.

Hepatitis A

The infection may be asymptomatic. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, fever and abdominal pain, as well as yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes or mucous membranes.

There is no cure for hepatitis A, and it usually resolves on its own. Recovery takes from weeks to a few months.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is transmitted through unprotected sex or through blood, for example by sharing of needles or syringes when using drugs.

 What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

  • Symptoms for hepatitis B include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach pain, yellow skin, the white or the membrane of the eye turning yellow and muscle or joint pain.
  • Recent hepatitis B infections do not usually show any symptoms. If symptoms appear, they usually disappear within a few weeks.
  • Most people who get infected with hepatitis B are cured but for some people it may become chronic, which may cause serious liver damage.

 When and how should I get tested?

  • The test can be taken after 8 to 12 weeks after the suspected transmission. A negative result from the test is reliable 4 months after the suspected transmission.

How can I protect myself and how is it treated?

  • Hepatitis B usually gets better without any treatment. A person suffering from chronic hepatitis B can be treated with virus medication or interferon.
  • There is a vaccine against hepatitis B. To protect yourself against sexual transmission of hepatitis B, use a condom and dental dam. If you have anal sex, use a condom and lubricant.
  • Clean needles and syringes prevent infections through drug use.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is transmitted through unprotected sex or through blood, for example by sharing of needles or syringes when using drugs. The risk of hepatitis C is greater in anal sex than in other types of sex.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?

  • Hepatitis C does not usually show many symptoms. Only every fourth person has symptoms which include yellowness, nausea and stomach pain.
  • Most people with hepatitis C carry the infection for the rest of their lives. If not treated, hepatitis C may cause serious liver damage.

When and how should I get tested?

  • Hepatitis C can be tested about 10 weeks after suspected transmission by a blood sample. A negative result from the test is reliable 6 months after the suspected transmission.

How can I protect myself and how is it treated?

  • Hepatitis C is treated with medication and can be cured completely.
  • To protect yourself against hepatitis C, use a condom and dental dam. If you have anal sex, use a condom and lubricant.
  • Clean needles and syringes prevent infections through drug use.