Hepatitis B is caused by a virus spread through blood and body fluids.
You can get hepatitis B from:
- having vaginal, anal or oral sex without using a condom or dam
- injecting drugs using shared needles
- being injured by a used needle
- having a tattoo, piercing, or medical or dental procedure with unsterilised equipment
- having a blood transfusion in a country that does not check blood for hepatitis B (blood transfusions in the UK are checked for hepatitis B)
If you're pregnant and have hepatitis B, you can also pass it onto your baby when giving birth.
Hepatitis B from infected blood
Since 1972, donated blood has been tested for hepatitis B to make sure it's as safe as possible. This means the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion is extremely low.
Higher risk areas
The risk of getting hepatitis B is higher in some parts of the world, including:
- sub-Saharan Africa
- Asia and the Pacific islands
- the Middle East
- parts of South America
- southern parts of central and eastern Europe
You can check the risks of a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis B. In the UK, the hepatitis B vaccine is given to babies as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B are given additional vaccinations to reduce the risk of them getting the infection.
Adults only need to get the hepatitis B vaccine if they're at high risk, for example:
- you're travelling to a high-risk country – you may have to pay for a hepatitis B vaccine for travel
- you have liver or kidney disease
- you have HIV
- you inject drugs or are a close contact of someone who does
- you have multiple sexual partners
- you're a man who has sex with men
- your job puts you at risk of infection – for example, you're a healthcare worker or work in a prison
Your employer should organise your vaccination if your job puts you at risk.
If you're travelling abroad, get advice from a travel clinic, GP, nurse or pharmacist before you go.
Other ways to reduce your risk
To help protect yourself from hepatitis B you should also:
- use a condom or dam when having vaginal, anal or oral sex
- avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes and needles with others
Most people with hepatitis B either have no symptoms or mild symptoms.
If you do get symptoms, they can include:
- a high temperature
- tiredness
- pain in your upper tummy
- feeling sick or being sick
- a raised rash that may be itchy (hives)
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) – yellowed skin may be less noticeable on brown or black skin
- darker urine than usual
- pale poo
The infection usually lasts for 1 to 3 months. If the infection lasts longer than 6 months it is called chronic hepatitis B.
See a GP if:
- you think you might have hepatitis B or are at high risk of getting it
Hepatitis B usually clears up on its own without treatment. You may be offered medicine to help with the symptoms, such as painkillers or medicines to stop you feeling sick.
Your GP will refer you to see a liver specialist who will check how well your liver is working.
If hepatitis B lasts for over 6 months it is called long-term (chronic) hepatitis B.
There is no known cure for chronic hepatitis B. It's usually treated with antivirals, and medicine to help control the virus and relieve symptoms such as itchiness, pain and sickness.
You will also need to see a liver specialist for regular check-ups.
As well as medical treatments, there are some things you can do when you have hepatitis B to help ease the symptoms and stop the infection spreading to others.
Do
rest and stay hydrated
ask your doctor for advice about painkillers, including how much it's safe for you to take
keep your room well ventilated, wear loose clothing, and avoid hot showers and baths if you feel itchy
Don't
do not drink alcohol
do not have sex without a condom or dam
do not share razors, toothbrushes or needles with others
Most adults do not have any lasting problems after having a short-term hepatitis B infection, but some develop long-term (chronic) hepatitis.
Babies, children and people with a weakened immune system are more likely to get chronic hepatitis.
If left untreated, chronic hepatitis B can cause liver damage (cirrhosis) and increase your risk of getting liver cancer.
It is important to take any medicine you have been prescribed and go for regular check-ups to make sure your liver is working properly.
