MYTH: People who have hepatitis must have been promiscuous.

Hepatitis C is not a sexually transmitted infection.

While hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection, it is also transmitted via blood to bloodstream contact. Most people who have chronic hepatitis B got it from their mothers during birth when hepatitis B vaccinations and hepatitis B Immunoglobulin were unavailable.

Having hepatitis is no indicator of a person's sexual behaviour one way or the other.

MYTH: Beware of sweaty equipment at the gym. You may catch hepatitis from using them.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are not transmitted through sweat. So go ahead and enjoy your workout.

However, it is wise to be blood safe at the gym and not share articles which might have come into contact with blood, such as boxing gloves.

MYTH: You can get hepatitis from toilet seats.

Hepatitis C is transmitted only by blood-to-bloodstream contact. Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood and sexual fluids. Neither is transmitted by sharing toilets.

Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal-oral route but unless you plan on licking the toilet seat, or don’t wash your hands after toileting and before handling food, it is unlikely that you will get hepatitis A from sharing toilet seats.

MYTH: Don’t eat food prepared by someone with hepatitis. It may be contaminated and you might catch it.

You may get hepatitis A from food prepared by someone with the disease but only if he/she was unhygienic, i.e. didn’t wash their hands properly with soap after toileting and before food preparation.

Hepatitis B and C are not transmitted by casual contact.

MYTH: My child’s best friend has hepatitis B. To protect my child, sadly, I have to limit their contact or watch over them all the time. And no sleep-overs.

Most children in Australia have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The vaccine is safe and effective. If you are not sure whether your child has been vaccinated, talk to your doctor.

Make sure your child is vaccinated and let them play, fight, sleep-over...