Hepatitis B guide

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is spread when blood, semen or other bodily fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. 

This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. It can also happen during pregnancy or delivery.

Not all people newly infected with Hepatitis B have symptoms, but for those that do, symptoms can include fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellow skin or/and eyes).

There is a vaccine available for those that are at a higher risk of contracting Hepatitis B or for people travelling to a country where Hepatitis B is more common.

Hepatitis B can cause an acute or chronic illness. An acute illness is one that gets better quickly, usually within weeks or at most a few months. For many people, Hepatitis B is a short term illness. For others, it can become a long term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues, such as, liver disease or liver cancer.

How is hepatitis B spread?

It is spread by contact with infected blood and bodily fluids entering the bloodstream through broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth and nose), for example through a bite that breaks the skin or if the skin is pierced by a contaminated object.

The virus can also be passed on via tattooing or from medical and dental treatment if equipment is not adequately cleaned and sterilised.

It may also be spread by a pregnant mother with Hepatitis B passing the virus on to her child, through unprotected sex or from sharing needles and other injecting equipment, razors, toothbrushes, or any other article contaminated with blood, semen or vaginal secretions when giving birth.

How do you prevent it?

1. Always practise safer sex (using a condom), especially if you change partners regularly
2. Do not share injecting equipment, toothbrushes or razors
3. Always go to reputable places for tattooing, ear-piercing and electrolysis, and always ask for a new and unused needle
4. Make sure you cover all cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters
5. A vaccine is also available so people at high risk of contracting Hepatitis B can be immunised.

What should I do if I think I am at risk?

See your GP, especially if you inject drugs and share injecting equipment or have had unprotected sex. There is a simple blood test that can diagnose Hepatitis B - remember you may have no obvious symptoms.

Immunisation is available to anyone who may be at risk of contracting Hepatitis B.  If you fall into one of the high-risk categories then you may want to contact your GP and talk to them about being immunised.

Most people become immune once they have had a course of three injections - although it may take up to six months before protection is complete, and a booster vaccination may be required after five years.

Who should be immunised?

• Babies whose mothers have Hepatitis B or are carriers of it - the younger someone is when they contract the virus, the more likely it is to become serious, so it is important to screen expectant mothers for it
• People who inject drugs and share injecting equipment
• People who change their sexual partners frequently
• Men who have unprotected sex with other men
• Close family contacts or partners of someone with Hepatitis B infection or a carrier of it
• Haemophiliacs
• People with chronic renal failure
• People who reside in prison
• People intending to work or spend long period of time in a country where Hepatitis B is more prevalent.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk