Hepatitis B This factsheet is for people who have hepatitis B, or who would like information about it. Hepatitis B is a disease that damages the liver. It's caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (also known as HBV). Hepatitis B can be prevented with the use of a vaccine. About Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is relatively uncommon in the UK. High-risk areas for hepatitis B include South-East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and southern and eastern Europe. Hepatitis B is highly contagious, which means it can be passed from person to person very easily. It's 50 to 100 times more contagious than HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The virus is present in body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid. Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic. An acute illness is typically over quite quickly. The term acute refers to the length of time a person has had it, not how serious a condition is. Chronic hepatitis B lasts for more than six months, sometimes for the rest of a person's life. The term chronic refers to time, not how serious a condition is. Babies and young children who become infected with hepatitis B have a very high chance of becoming carriers, which means they are infectious. Only between two and 10 adults out of 100 infected with hepatitis B will develop a chronic infection. Symptoms of Hepatitis B If you have hepatitis B you may have symptoms similar to those of flu. They can include: You may also develop jaundice, which makes your skin and the whites of your eyes go yellow. This is caused by a yellow-coloured substance in your blood called bilirubin. Bilirubin is usually broken down by your liver, but this doesn't happen if your liver is affected by hepatitis. Jaundice can also cause your urine to darken and your skin to itch. These symptoms aren't always due to hepatitis B but if you have them, you should visit your GP. Less than three out of 100 people who have acute hepatitis B develop liver failure (known as fulminant hepatitis) as a complication of acute disease and may need a liver transplant. Fulminant hepatitis can be fatal. Chronic Hepatitis B Causes of Hepatitis B You can get hepatitis B from infected blood: Hepatitis B is also an important complication of accidental needle stick injuries and therefore a risk factor for unvaccinated healthcare workers. As hepatitis B can be spread by sexual contact, body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluid should be considered as potentially infectious. Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Your GP may ask you for a blood sample. This will be sent to a laboratory for testing to find out if you're infected with the hepatitis B virus. The most important test is called the hepatitis B surface antigen test (HBsAg). If this is positive, you have hepatitis B. A range of further laboratory tests can be done to find out if you have been recently infected (acute hepatitis B) or to measure the activity of the virus and how many viruses are present in your blood. If results show that you're infected with hepatitis B, you may have additional tests. For example, a liver function blood test can measure substances in your blood that indicate any liver damage. If you're at risk, your doctor may want to test you for other viruses that can be transmitted in the same way as hepatitis B, such as hepatitis C and HIV, and for other sexually transmitted diseases. Treatment of Hepatitis B If you have chronic hepatitis B, your GP may refer you to an infection specialist or hepatologist (a doctor specialising in liver diseases). Medicines These medicines aren't suitable for everyone. Your doctor or specialist nurse will give you advice about whether they are the best treatment for you. Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. Prevention of Hepatitis B If you're infected with hepatitis B, it's important not to spread it to others. Cover any cuts with a dressing and: Transmission of hepatitis B to your baby can be prevented by vaccinating him/her at birth. Hepatitis B Vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended if: * ; Ask your GP if you wish to be vaccinated or go to your local sexual health clinic or a travel clinic. If you're at risk of getting hepatitis B at work, speak to your employer about getting vaccinated. Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) Hepatitis B immunoglobulin can also provide short-term protection for newborn babies who are at risk of getting hepatitis B from their mother during childbirth. For further advice on protection against hepatitis B, talk to your GP or practice nurse. Further Information Sources Related Topics:
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