and it can sometimes take several months to get better. About 10 per cent of people with hepatitis B are unable to
clear the virus from their body; this can lead to further
long-term complications.
Most people with hepatitis C have no initial symptoms but about 80 per
cent of people will be unable to clear the virus and could go on to develop
serious complications.
How is hepatitis treated? If you think you have just been exposed
to hepatitis A or B and are not already vaccinated against them, or have
not had it before, then you need to see a doctor quickly, ideally within
24 hours. You will probably be offered an injection of antibodies that
will offer you protection for three to six months.
If you have had hepatitis B for more than six months you may benefit from
treatment but you will need to seek advice from a liver specialist.
If you have hepatitis C you will also need to seek professional help from
a liver specialist who will have up to date information in this fast-moving
area.
page 2 of 7
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Herpes simplex
What is it? Herpes simplex is a common and usually
mild recurrent skin condition caused by a virus called the herpes simplex
virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: herpes
simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2).
How is it transmitted? You contract herpes by direct skin-to-skin
contact. Most skin on your body is too thick for the virus to penetrate.
Anyone that has sex is at risk of getting genital herpes and where the
herpes develop depends on which part of your body is exposed to the herpes
on the other person.
It is possible to transmit herpes even if you do not have any current
symptoms.
Herpes is very fragile and there are no documented cases of someone contracting
genital herpes from objects such as a toilet seat or towels.
What are the symptoms? The herpes virus can cause painful 'cold
sores' or 'fever blisters' on the
mouth or face. This is known as oral herpes. It can also cause similar symptoms in the genital area, which is known as genital herpes. The majority of oral herpes cases
