Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver
Many people with acute hepatitis B infection have no symptoms at all and do not know that they are infected. Others have 'flu-like symptoms and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). In most cases hepatitis B infection can only be identified by a blood test. Most adults infected with hepatitis B recover fully, but 1 in 10 may develop a prolonged, chronic infection. A small proportion of these people develop serious liver disease later in life.
Hepatitis B virus is carried in the blood and body fluids. There are three main ways that infection is spread:
- From unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person without a condom
- By direct contact with the blood of an infected person e.g. by sharing toothbrushes and razors; from equipment used for tattooing and body piercing; and between drug users who share needles, syringes and other equipment.
- From an infected mother to her baby during birth
The Health Protection team advises anyone who thinks they may have been at risk at risk to visit your GP or GUM clinic as soon as possible for a blood test to see if you are also infected. If you are infected, you will receive further advice from your GP/ GUM and/or the Health Protection Team. If you are not infected, a vaccine is available to protect you against the disease. Your GP will discuss this with you.
The following measures will protect you against all blood borne viruses:
Practice safer sex – use a condom.
Personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, scissors and nail clippers can carry small amounts of blood, so they should never be shared.
Equipment used for tattoos and body piercing should never be shared after use.
If you are an injecting drug-user, or use steroid injections to enhance body building, you should never share any of your injecting equipment – needles, syringes, swabs, spoons, filters, water or anything else.
