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/body 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 inject 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 or 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