Hep B TAKE ACTION We did.

Hepatitis B Treatment While there is currently no cure for hepatitis B, treatments exist that can help manage the disease.

Hep B TAKE ACTION

Not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment, but disease can change rapidly. Hepatitis B drugs work best at certain stages of the disease, so if you have hepatitis B you need six-monthly tests to monitor the virus level and find out if treatment is needed.

We did Scan QR code for online map

Call 1800 437 222

With regular monitoring and treatment as needed, most people with hepatitis B live normal, healthy lives.

Hepatitis B monitoring is managed best by specialists or accredited general practitioners. If you have hepatitis B and are not being monitored regularly, you should consider starting.

You can also search for a HBV Prescriber near you by visiting the ASHM locator map or use the map on the Hepatitis SA website to find South Australian HBV Prescribers.

For more information on hepatitis B treatment visit our Hepatitis B Treatment page.

How do I start monitoring?

Ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist or talk to a hepatitis B GP Prescriber.

If you need help finding an understanding GP, call Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222 for a referral.

Chinese speakers can contact the Hepatitis SA Chinese language information service by phone or WeChat on 0403 648 348.

Information for GPs

for your nearest liver nurse

General Practitioners can prescribe and manage the treatment of hepatitis B upon completion of the Hepatitis B Community s100 Prescriber Program.

The HBV Prescriber Program enables GPs to prescribe Highly Specialised Drugs (HSDs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and is available in all states and territories across Australia. Accredited prescribers are able to initiate treatment and the medicines can be dispensed through community pharmacies.

Expressions of interest and general enquiries can be directed to ASHM at HBVprescriber@ashm.org.au.

For more information on the HBV Prescriber Program visit the ASHM website (ashm.org.au).

Developed & produced on Kaurna Country - Last update: January 2024 SA Health has provided funds towards this program

Stop B - Yes We Can

Should I get vaccinated?

Should I get tested?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Left unmanaged, hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease such as liver failure and liver cancer.

There are over 200,380 Australians living with hepatitis B, including 10,120 in South Australia.

How do I get tested?

ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR A TEST If you have hepatitis B and your family members have not been tested or vaccinated, talk to your doctor about testing for your family.

If you need help finding a GP, call Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222 for a referral

2 in 5 Australians with hepatitis B don't know they have it.

You may have hepatitis B and not realise it. The Hepatitis B virus is carried in the blood and in body fluids. Most people with chronic hepatitis B got it during birth from mothers who had hepatitis B, with people from regions of high prevalence at greater risk.

High prevalence regions include: Ÿ East Asia Ÿ South East Asia Ÿ Remote Aboriginal communities Ÿ Sub-Saharan Africa Ÿ Parts of South America You can also get hepatitis B from: Ÿ unprotected sex with someone with hepatitis B. Ÿ open cuts or wounds that have been exposed to the blood of someone with the virus. Ÿ medical, dental, tattooing, body art, or cosmetic procedures with unsterile equipment, especially in regions of high prevalence.

Consider getting tested if you don't know whether you have hepatitis B and: Ÿ you or your family come from a region of high prevalence, or Ÿ someone in your family or household has hepatitis B. For more information on hepatitis B testing visit our Hepatitis B Testing page: http://bit.ly/hbv-test

The best protection against hepatitis B is vaccination. It is safe and effective.

If a family or household member has hepatitis B and your hepatitis B test results show that you are not immune, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. It should be free for you.

If you are a health worker involved in exposure prone procedures, chances are you've already been tested and vaccinated if not already immune. If you haven't, speak to your GP.

Useful Resources for GPs Hepatitis B Information for GPs http://hepsa.asn.au/gp.

Includes drug interaction tool, patient resources, testing, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, pregnancy, children.

A complete course of hepatitis B vaccination consists of three doses given over a period of six months.

Hepatitis B Testing Information http://bit.ly/hbv-test Information about hepatitis B testing and what the results mean.

Hepatitis B vaccination in South Australia is free for people at high risk. These include the homeless, sex workers, people living with someone with hepatitis B, people with HIV and other chronic liver disease, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

See the full list of those eligible under the High Risk Hepatitis B Immunisation Program, at bit.ly/hb-freevax

Hepatitis B Vaccination Information http://bit.ly/hb-vax Information about hepatitis B vaccination, who should get it and who is eligible for free vaccine.

Hepatitis B Treatment Information http://bit.ly/hb-tx Who should be treated for hepatitis B, how do you get monitoring?

For more information on hepatitis B vaccination visit our Hepatitis B Vaccination & Prevention page - bit.ly/hb-vax

How do I get vaccinated?