In addition to hepatitis B, several other types of viral hepatitis can be transmitted sexually. Hepatitis A is a cause of acute hepatitis and less than 5 percent of infections are transmitted through fecal-oral contact during sexual intercourse, mostly among men who have sex with men. Sexual transmission of hepatitis D virus occurs but is less efficiently transmitted through sexual intercourse compared to hepatitis B virus. The efficiency of sexual and perinatal transmission of this virus, however, is much less than that for HBV or the human immunodeficiency virus. At present, there are no specific treatments for the acute symptoms of viral hepatitis.
Doctors recommend bed rest, a healthy diet, and avoidance of alcoholic beverages.
A genetically engineered form of a naturally occurring protein, interferon alpha, is used to treat people with chronic hepatitis C. Studies supported by the National Institutes of Health led to the approval of interferon alpha for the treatment of those with chronic HBV as well. Other STDs Other diseases that may be sexually transmitted include trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, cytomegalovirus infections, scabies, and pubic lice. STDs and Pregnancy STDs in pregnant women are associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including spontaneous abortion and infection in the newborn. Low birth weight and prematurity appear to be associated with STDs, including chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis. The Relationship between STDs and HIV Syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2, chancroid, and other infections that cause genital or rectal ulcers have been associated with HIV infection in several studies.