Hepatitis B: the facts Stats and facts
Hepatitis Queensland
Reviewed: 10 October 2013, Valid to: October 2014
What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B (hep B or HBV) is a virus that can cause inflammation or scarring of your liver. Up to 240 million1 people worldwide are living with hepatitis B and it is estimated that 218,0002 people in Australia have chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B.
How do you get hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is spread through blood to blood contact and through sexual fluids (semen and vaginal fluids). Hepatitis B can be transmitted by: vertical transmission (from mother to baby during birth) having unprotected sex (sex without a condom) having unprotected oral sex when there are open cuts, ulcers or sores in the mouth blood transfusions (performed in Australia before 1990 or currently overseas in countries that don’t screen blood or blood products) traditional or cultural ceremonies and blood rituals (using unsterilised equipment) occupational needle stick injury injecting drug use (sharing needles, filters, spoons, tourniquets or swabs) tattooing and body piercing (using unsterilised equipment) sharing personal grooming items (e.g. toothbrushes, razors or tweezers). 1
WHO medicine centre. Hepatitis B factsheet n. 204. [Factsheet] Geneva World Health Organisation, 2013 [updated July 2013; cited 2013 September 20]. 2
MacLachlan JH, Allard N, Towell V, Cowie BC. The burden of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Australia, 2011. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2013.
I don’t always see the same doctor but I can always check up on the facts, the liver clinic has been a constant in my care and somewhere I feel safe." Hepatitis B is not transmitted by social contact. Things such as sharing food, utensils, cups, plates, hugging, shaking hands, kissing, sneezing, tears, mosquitoes, pets, sharing toilets or showers cannot transmit hepatitis B.
How do I know if I have hepatitis B? A blood test is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B (see factsheet ‘Hepatitis B: tests’ for more information).
Can I get vaccinated against hepatitis B? Yes, there is a vaccine against hepatitis B. For the vaccine to work you must have all three doses over six months. Once you are immune, you cannot get hepatitis B and you do not require boosters. The other option is to have the Twinrix® vaccine which provides protection from hepatitis A and B. This is also given over six months.
Will hepatitis B make me sick? Many people with hepatitis B don’t experience any symptoms, particularly people with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B. However, with an acute infection (less than six months) you may feel sick and experience symptoms as your immune system reacts to the virus. These symptoms can include nausea, tiredness, fever, dark urine, joint or stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), or loss of appetite. It is important to remember that even if you feel healthy, hepatitis B could be doing damage to your liver.
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For more information contact Hepatitis Queensland
www.hepqld.asn.au or call the infoline 1800 648 491
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Hepatitis B: the facts Stats and facts
Hepatitis Queensland
What are the chances that I will go on to have chronic hepatitis B? If you contract hepatitis B as an adult, there is a 95% chance that you will clear the virus and not develop chronic hepatitis B. However, if a baby contracts the virus there is a 90% chance that they will have chronic hepatitis B. Up to 50% of young children will clear the virus naturally. The reason that this happens more often for adults than for babies is that the immune system recognises the virus and fights against it.
Is there treatment for hepatitis B? Yes, there is treatment (antiviral therapy) available for people who have chronic hepatitis B. Some people with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B may benefit from having hepatitis B treatment (antiviral therapy). There are currently two types of treatment available. One is pegylated interferon (injection), which aims to boost your immune system to clear the hepatitis B virus from your body. The other type of treatment is antiviral medication (tablets), which aims to reduce the amount of virus in your blood so it is less likely to cause liver damage. Treatment may not be appropriate for everyone, and may only be needed in certain phases (stages) of hepatitis B (see factsheets ‘Hepatitis B: phases’ and ‘Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy)’ for more information).
What if I am pregnant and have hepatitis B? If you are pregnant and have hepatitis B it is really important that your doctor and birthing team know. Treatment (antiviral therapy) can be given in the last trimester to reduce the amount of virus you have in your blood. Your baby must be given the hepatitis B immunoglobulin injection and the first hepatitis B vaccine within the first 12 hours of birth. If this happens there is a good chance that your
baby will not get hepatitis B. The choice of delivery is up to you as there is no greater risk with either caesarean or vaginal birth. Mothers with hepatitis B are encouraged to breastfeed3.
What can I do to keep healthy?
Images © istockphoto.com. Models used for illustrative purposes only.
Reviewed: 10 October 2013, Valid to: October 2014
The most important thing to do is visit your doctor or liver specialist regularly for checkups (monitoring) which will include blood tests. This will pick up any changes in the virus activity and your liver function. These changes can lead to serious problems such as cirrhosis or liver cancer if not picked up early. Other things you can do include the following: avoid drinking alcohol, or drink less eat a balanced healthy diet get regular exercise reduce your stress try to maintain a healthy body weight manage your stress and get support rest when you need to.
Interested in finding out more? Factsheets Hepatitis B: monitoring Hepatitis B: treatment (antiviral therapy) Chronic hepatitis B: phases Printed resources Hepatitis B: What you need to know (Hepatitis Australia) Reviewed by Jacqui Richmond, September 2013 Hepatology Nurse Consultant (Hepatitis B) 3
Chronic Hepatitis B Antenatal Management Guidelines. SSWAHS Liver and Gastroenterology Department. NSW Health
The ABC of Hepatitis Training Package is an initative of Hepatitis Queensland through funding provided by Queensland Health.
For more information contact Hepatitis Queensland
www.hepqld.asn.au or call the infoline 1800 648 491
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