"Hepatitis B is much more infectious than HIV."
In brief...
HBV is one of the viral infections of the liver. It is usually caught by sharing injected drugs, or equipment, or from contaminated blood products. It can also be caught during unprotected sex. An infected mother can pass the virus to her unborn child. It is easy for us to test for HBV and you can be vaccinated against it.
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How did I get it?
Hepatitis B is a very infectious virus and you can catch it in a number of ways:
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By having unsafe sex with someone who has HBV. This route of infection is more common in gay and bisexual men.
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By sharing needles or other drug-injecting equipment that can be contaminated with blood with someone who has HBV.
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By using equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body-piercing that is contaminated with blood containing HBV. In the UK, most 'professionals' are now careful to avoid 'cross-contamination' and so this is now a rare source of infection. Beware of 'amateurs' though.
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From your mother when you were a baby, if she was infected with HBV when she was pregnant with you.
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After receiving a blood transfusion, or another medical product, that was contaminated with HBV. All blood and medical products are carefully tested for HBV in the UK. This is not, however, the case in some other countries.
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Healthcare workers can catch HBV from infected patients if they come into contact with infectious blood or other secretions. This is why we are so careful about wearing gloves to protect ourselves and you from infection.
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What are the symptoms?
Some people who are infected with HBV have no symptoms. Most people get symptoms that include a short flu-like illness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice and itchy skin. These are symptoms of the liver being infected and are similar for most types of hepatitis. Rarely, Hepatitis B can have long-term effects on your health, particularly your liver.
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Why should people at high risk be tested for it?
Because HBV is very infectious it is important that you are tested for it especially if you are in a 'high risk group'. This is so that you can avoid giving it to other people and take extra care of your own health.
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What tests can you offer at shac?
We use a simple blood test to test for markers of HBV and other Hepatitis viruses. Different markers for parts of the virus and for antibodies that can tell us if you have a past history of infection or whether you are infectious at the moment.
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When should I expect the results and what should I do next?
If you get a 'positive result' to Hepatitis B we can tell if you are still infectious or if you have just had a past infection that you have already cleared, and are therefore protected against HBV in the future.
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Will I need treatment and what can help?
Many people who are in the middle of a liver infection do not require treatment, just monitoring and regular testing. Others can have quite severe short-term damage to the liver. The liver is very good at healing itself if it is given enough time. If you do need treatment you will be looked after by liver specialists. Because HBV damages the liver it reduces this organ's capacity to detoxify alcohol so you should avoid drinking to allow your liver to recover.
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What are carriers and what should I do if I am one?
Carriers are people who have had HBV in the past and remain infectious. This is very common in many parts of the world, particularly if they were infected as a baby. If you are a carrier you will be advised how to reduce the risks of giving the virus to others while you are still infectious.
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How can I reduce the risks of giving it to others while I am infectious?
If you are infectious with HBV you should use a condom. If your partner and other close family members have not had HBV they should be vaccinated against it. You should also avoid sharing toothbrushes or shaving equipment because HBV can be caught from the blood in your mouth or on razors, it is very infectious.
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How can I avoid getting it and what is the hepatitis B vaccine?
You can reduce your risks of getting hepatitis B by avoiding the risky behaviours mentioned above. A vaccine is also available for those who are most at risk. A hepatitis B vaccine involves three injections of vaccine, usually given over a period of six months. To check that the vaccine has worked a blood test is taken to see if your body has made enough antibody. This vaccine will protect you for five years, after which time you may need a 'booster' dose of vaccine.
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Who can, and should, use the vaccine?
Certain groups of people can get the Hepatitis B vaccination free of charge at shac. These include:
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Contacts of people who have Hepatitis B
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Healthcare workers
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People who have been sexually assaulted
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Intravenous, i.v, drug users
We also recommend that gay men are vaccinated because they are at a higher risk of becoming infected during sex. Babies of mothers who are infected with HBV should be vaccinated at birth to protect them from getting an infection.
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