Hepatitis B: what you need to know FACTSHEET 37
Hepatitis Queensland
What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause damage to the liver. It is sometimes also called “hep B” or “HBV”. Two billion people worldwide have been exposed to hep B and up to 160,000 people in Australia have chronic hep B. Hepatitis B is different to HIV/AIDS or hepatitis A, C, D or E. A blood test can show if you have had hepatitis B in the past, or if you have it now.
It is safe to share things like food, eating utensils, cups and plates. You cannot get hep B from hugging, kissing, sneezing, mosquitoes, from crying, pets, or sharing toilets or showers.
How can you prevent getting hep B? • • •
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How do you get hep B? Hep B is in all body fluids but it is spread through direct blood and unprotected sexual contact. You can get hep B from: • Mother to child during pregnancy/birth; • Not using a condom during sex (vaginal or anal sex); • Contaminated blood transfusions, blood products, medical or dental equipment (this is an issue in many countries but is very rare in Australia); • Sharing drug injecting equipment (including syringes, spoons, water, filters and tourniquets); • Unsterile cultural or traditional practices that involve blood or skin penetration; • Unsterile tattooing or piercing; • Sharing toothbrushes, razors and tweezers; • Blood-to-blood contact through open wounds; • Needlestick injuries (getting hep B this way is rare); and • Oral sex when there are open cuts, ulcers or sores in the mouth.
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Get vaccinated. This is the best prevention; Avoid blood-to-blood contact; If you have hep B and are pregnant, talk to your doctor about vaccinations and ‘HBIg’ (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) for your baby at birth; Practise safe sex and use a condom; Never share drug injecting equipment; Cover open wounds or cuts with bandaids and clean up any blood spills with disposable gloves and bleach; Always get your tattoos and piercings done by a professional who uses sterile equipment; Don’t share items that may have traces of blood on them like tweezers, razors or toothbrushes; It is safe to breast feed, but if your nipples are cracked or bleeding you should stop breastfeeding temporarily; and If you are not immunised, and you have sexual or blood contact with someone that may have hepatitis B, you should talk to your doctor or clinic about getting vaccinated and HBIg (hepatitis B immunoglobulin). HBIg can help your body fight hep B if you have just been exposed to the virus. You should get the HBIg injection within 72 hours of contact with the virus, or as soon as possible from exposure.
The ABC of Hepatitis Training Package is an initiative of Queensland Health through funding provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Hepatitis C Prevention and Education Initiative
Updated: 24 February 2011
For more information www.hepqld.asn.au or Hepatitis Queensland info line 1800 648 491
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Hepatitis B: what you need to know FACTSHEET 37
Hepatitis Queensland
Is there a hep B vaccination? Yes! There are safe and easy vaccinations for hepatitis B and A that can prevent you from getting these viruses. Once you are immune, you cannot get hep B and you do not require any booster shots. You can get vaccinations from most Sexual Health Clinics, Family Planning Clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services or see your doctor/GP. At some places vaccinations are free, at other places there is a charge.
What will happen to me if I have hep B? What happens when you are exposed to hepatitis B depends on how old you are when you get it. • 95% of adults who get hepatitis B will ‘clear’ the virus and not develop chronic hepatitis B. You will no longer experience symptoms; you will not be able to pass hepatitis B to other people and will be immune to hepatitis B in the future; • However, 90% of new-born babies who have hepatitis B will go on to have chronic hepatitis B. The risk of getting hep B can be reduced by giving the baby vaccination and HBIg at birth. If you have hepatitis B for longer than 6 months and develop ‘chronic’ hepatitis B, it is important to look after yourself. 30% of people with hepatitis B may develop liver scarring (‘cirrhosis’). 5-10% may develop liver cancer. If you have chronic hepatitis B you may still feel well and not notice any symptoms. So it is important to have regular check ups with your doctor and liver specialist.
What are the symptoms of hep B? It is important to remember that many people with hep B don’t experience any symptoms at all. However, as your immune system reacts to the virus you may feel sick and experience symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, fever, dark urine, joint or stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), or loss of appetite.
works by slowing down the reproduction of the virus. These anti-virals are sometimes called ‘nucleotides’ or ‘nucleoside analogues’.
How do I look after myself? • • • • • • • •
Stay in regular contact with your liver specialist or doctor; Avoid drinking alcohol, or drink less. Alcohol can increase your chances of developing liver scarring or cancer; Eat a balanced healthy diet; Get regular exercise; Reduce your stress; Try to maintain a healthy body weight; Manage your stress, get support, and rest as much as you need to; Some people find that alternative or complementary therapies can improve the quality of their life.
Do I have to tell anyone I have hep B? Generally speaking you are not legally required to tell anybody that you have hepatitis B. In fact, if you have hepatitis B, your privacy is protected under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). However, you are required to tell someone you have hep B: • If your job involves doing what are called ‘exposure-prone procedures’; • If you wanted to donate blood, blood products or semen; • If you want to join the Australian Defence Force; • For insurance and superannuation purposes; Generally the legal requirements around disclosure vary across the country. In some states you may be required to inform partners prior if you know you have hepatitis B.
Is there treatment? There are currently two types of treatments available. One is Pegylated Interferon which is aimed at boosting your immune system and its ability to clear the hepatitis B virus from your body. Another type of treatment is anti-viral medication, which
Interested in finding out more? Factsheets 03 Combination therapy 04 Complementary therapies 07 Disclosure and hepatitis 08 Discrimination and hepatitis 16 Hepatitis A, B & C a comparison 30 Common side effects of treatment 35 Natural history: hepatitis B & C
The ABC of Hepatitis Training Package is an initiative of Queensland Health through funding provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Hepatitis C Prevention and Education Initiative
Updated: 24 February 2011
For more information www.hepqld.asn.au or Hepatitis Queensland info line 1800 648 491
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