Who is at risk?
Although everyone runs the risk of contracting viral hepatitis if they are exposed to a risk situation (contact with infected blood/faeces/bodily fluids, depending on the type of the virus), certain groups run a higher risk of developing hepatitis.
Hepatitis A and E
- For hepatitis A: Unvaccinated people
- Travellers in endemic areas or in countries with poor hygiene conditions
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People who eat shellfish
- People who eat raw pork products (HEV genotype 3)
- People with a professional risk of exposure
Hepatitis B and C
- For hepatitis B: Unvaccinated people
- People who have had sexual relations without a condom with someone with HBV or HCV
- People who use intravenous drugs
- Healthcare professionals
- People who had a transfusion of blood or of blood coagulation factors prior to 1990 (HCV)
- People who undergo haemodialysis
- Newborn infants of mothers who are infected with HBV and HCV
- Travellers to endemic areas
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Tattoos or piercings with unsterilised instruments
- For hepatitis B: people who live with an infected person
DID YOU KNOW THAT? Hepatitis E has different variants that are called genotypes? Genotype 1 and 2 mainly occur in Asia and Africa, and are therefore often travel-related in Europe. Genotype 3 and 4 do occur endemically in Europe, but often cause a less severe illness in comparison to the other 2 genotypes.