The Peak, Simon Fraser University's Student Newspaper since 1965, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6, e-mail: epeak@mail.peak.sfu.ca, phone: (604) 291-3597 fax: (604) 291-3786
Volume 98, Issue 5 February 9, 1998 News 

Health board urges gay men to get hepatitis A vaccinations

by bess lovejoy

The Vancouver/Richmond health board is warning that Hepatitis A is spreading rapidly through Vancouver's gay male community.

Dr. Mark Bisham of the board says that "over 50 per cent of our cases are amongst the gay-bisexual population." According to Bisham, the board received around 30 cases in January, when the normal number is around ten in a month.

There is no specific treatment for the virus, and Bisham says that people are usually sick enough that they miss work for a couple of weeks. Occasionally, people are even hospitalized.Exposure to the virus occurs through contaminated food or water, or contact with feces in sexual relations.

"It's very difficult to avoid this virus in the course of sexual activity ... condoms don't really afford very much protection," Bisham said, adding that in the course of taking the condom off, fecal matter can touch the hand. "You have to wash your hands ... and most people aren't that mechanical during sex," noted Bisham.

However, people are only infectious for a narrow amount of time, and after that they are immune for life. According to Bisham, if a person gets jaundiced, then they are infectious for about two weeks before the onset of the jaundice until about a week after. If they don't develop jaundice they are infectious from about two weeks before and two weeks after. "Beyond that time people are not infectious, and in fact they are immune. It's a naturally acquired immunization." said Bisham.

The vaccine for the disease is "highly recommended, free, very effective, and it's the best way to prevent getting infection," said Bisham. He also said that there is there is no added risk in getting the vaccine if someone has already contracted the disease. In fact, Bisham says it can actually help speed recovery.

For information about where you can get the vaccine, call the Vancouver/Richmond health board Communicable disease department at 736-2033, or the Bute Street Clinic at 660- 7949.


homepage current issue past issues search contact


more issue #5