Hepatitis B a virus that can infect and damage the liver.
Hepatitis B is carried in the blood. It is usually transmitted through blood to blood contact, such as:
It can be transmitted through sex, although this is rare and can be prevented by using a condom. However, it is 50 - 100 times more infectious than HIV.
A pregnant person can pass a Hepatitis B infection to their newborn child, but the infection can be prevented if the baby is vaccinated immediately after birth.
During the early stage of infection there may not be any symptoms. If symptoms do develop, this is usually within the first six months after infection. Those who do get symptoms may experience:
Most people clear the virus after the initial stage and are then immune to the infection. These people will not be infectious.
However, some people’s bodies cannot clear the virus and so they will develop a long term infection called chronic Hepatitis. Hepatitis B can lead to problems with your liver, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), often years after catching the infection.
You should seek immediate medical advice if you think you have been exposed to Hepatitis B. It is possible to prevent infection with treatment, but to be most effective it should be given in the first 48 hours after exposure.
Hepatitis B can be managed at home in the early stages, using over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. You may be prescribed codeine if the pain is more severe.
If you have chronic Hepatitis B, you will be symptom-free for much of the time. However, you may need to take medication to prevent liver damage and have regular tests done. There are now very effective medications that can suppress the virus over many years.
If you are diagnosed with Hepatitis B you should tell anyone who you may have had blood to blood contact with, or had unprotected sex with, since you became infected so they can get tested. In some cases this may be hard to work out, so it is best to discuss the risk to others with your doctor.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is available on the NHS, and is recommended for people who are at risk of infection. This includes people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people whose partners or close family have the virus.
You should go to a sexual health clinic if you have unusual symptoms that persist for more than a few days. You can also get tested for Hepatitis B at your GP or a drug treatment service. The clinician will take a simple blood test.
Test results are most accurate four weeks after exposure.
No, you will need to check your levels of immunity some years after vaccination. The health care professional who gives you the vaccine will advise you when your immunity levels need checking.
You can get vaccinated at your GP, a sexual health clinic or an occupational health department (if your occupation puts you at risk of infection).
Side effects are rare, but you should contact the person who gave you the vaccine at once if you have any serious side effects such as:
Less serious side effects include:
Antiviral medication usually acts to prevent a virus from multiplying.
They may be able to tell if you have symptoms of infection, but many people don't have symptoms, meaning their partners wont be able to tell. However, you should tell your partner if you have Hepatitis B as they will need testing and may need treatment.
No, Hepatitis B doesn't affect fertility.
