 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
 |
|
||||||||
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by alcohol and some drugs, but is more often caused by a virus. Most adults who have Hepatitis B fully recover, and become immune (meaning they are unable to pass it on or catch it again) but a small percentage become carriers and remain infectious to others. They may also develop liver damage.
How is it passed on?
Hepatitis B can be spread by:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected.
- Sharing needles or works
- Using un-sterile needles for tattooing, piercings or acupuncture
- From mother to baby at birth
- Needle-stick injuries for health care workers
- It is possible to contract Hepatitis B from a blood transfusion, however, all UK donors are tested to prevent this.
For people at a higher risk of developing Hepatitis B (including Men who have sex with men, IV drug users, People who have been sexually assaulted, People who are paid for sex, people who have a high number of partners, and people who work in health care) a vaccination may be offered. This is a course of injections that can prevent someone from catching Hepatitis B should they come into contact with it.
Signs and Symptoms
It is possible to have Hepatitis B with no symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- A mild flu-like illness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, dark urine)
- Itchy skin
Some people may be admitted to hospital for a short period of time.
What happens if I am told I have Hepatitis B?
If you are told Hepatitis B you will be given further advice about risk to yourself and risk to other people.
For most people, the hepatitis B positive will show a past infection. This means that the body has rejected the virus. This poses no risk to other people, and means that the person is immune. If they come into contact with Hepatitis B again, they will not pick it up.
Rarely, a person will be told they have a current infection or are a ‘carrier’. This means that they are currently infectious. These people will be referred to their GP for follow-up, who may refer on to a liver specialist. Some people go on to reject the infection and become immune. Others stay as carriers.
You can help protect yourself against Hepatitis B by using condoms
every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are unsure of
how to use condoms, please ask to see a health adviser who will be happy
to talk to you about safely using condoms.
