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Hepatitis B - What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause a potentially dangerous infection of the liver.

How can I get Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is spread through blood-to-blood infection and through having unprotected sex.

It is the ninth most common cause of death, killing about two million people a year worldwide with about one million in Europe alone becoming infected

What are the symptoms?

About a third of sufferers with the disease will show no symptoms. The second third show signs of mild flu-like symptoms and the remainder can suffer from severe abdominal pains, diarrhoea and jaundice. The most severs sufferers will experience rapid liver failure which could lead to the need for a liver transplant.

How is it treated?

There is a very effective vaccine against Hepatitis B which is available from your doctor or at travel clinics and is recommended for tourists or travellers going to high-risk areas. Vaccination can be recommended if a family member becomes infected. Speak to your Health Centre Nurse who will be able to tell you about all the requirments that you may need when travelling abroad.

You can protect yourselves by avoiding unprotected sex, not sharing contaminated needles or having tattoos or acupuncture unless you know that the shop is reputable.

Where are the High Risk areas?

The disease is most common in the Far East, the Middle East, Africa and Southern Europe.

If you return home from holiday or travelling and you think you have symptoms of Hepatitis B then you should consult your doctor's surgery or, in the UK, phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.