Heptatitis B
How it’s spread
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is very common worldwide. It is very infectious.
The virus can be spread in the following ways:
* by unprotected (without a condom) penetrative sex (when the penis enters the anus, vagina or mouth) with someone who is infected. Also by sex which draws blood with someone who is infected
* by sharing contaminated needles or other drug-injecting equipment
* by using non-sterilised equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing
* from an infected mother to her baby, mainly during delivery. Immunisation of the baby at birth prevents the transmission of hepatitis B
* through a blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested for the hepatitis B virus. All blood for transfusion in the UK is tested.
Signs and symptoms
People may have no symptoms at all, but they can still pass on the virus to others. Symptoms may include:
* a short, mild, flu-like illness
* nausea and vomiting
* diarrhoea
* loss of appetite
* weight loss
* jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale faeces)
* itchy skin.
Some people may need to be admitted to hospital.
Most adults infected with the hepatitis B virus fully recover and develop life-long immunity. Between 2% and 10% of individuals infected as adults will become chronic carriers, which means they will be infectious to others and can develop chronic liver damage. Infected children, especially new-born babies, are much more likely to become chronic carriers.
If a person continues to be infected over a number of years with the hepatitis B virus, they could develop the following complications:
* chronic hepatitis
* liver cirrhosis
* liver cancer.
Where to go for help
* Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic. Our help and advice page links to websites which can tell you where to find your nearest clinic.
You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any NHS clinic anywhere in the country - you don’t have to go to a local one - and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
If appropriate, these services may refer you to a hepatologist or specialist gastroenterologist.
* A hospital Accident and Emergency department
* Your own GP
* If you are in the UK, go to www.playingsafely.co.uk to find details of STD clinics.