Hepatitis B

What is it? (Hepatitis B is much easier to get than HIV)

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It's much easier to get than HIV, and can cause permanent liver disease and cancer. Most people have no obvious symptoms, and there is no known cure.

How do you get it?

• By unprotected penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) or sex which draws blood.
• By oral sex (from mouth to the genitals).
• By sharing needles or other drug injecting equipment contaminated with blood.
• By using equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body-piercing contaminated with blood.
• From an infected mother to her baby.
• Through a blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested - all blood for transfusion is tested in the UK.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms but usually symptoms come in two stages, starting between 1 and 6 months after infection.

First Stage

• Feeling as though you've got flu with a cough and sore throat
• Feeling very tired
• No appetite
• Painful joints e.g. knees, elbows

Second Stage

• Jaundice for between 2 and 8 weeks
• Yellowish skin and whites of eyes
• Darkish brown urine
• Light and clay coloured faeces
• Sore abdomen
• Weight loss

Caused by A virus

Treatment

There is no treatment for hepatitis B apart from plenty of rest and healthy food.  It usually takes several months to recover.  There is a vaccine for people who think they are at risk

Effect on Health

Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer and other liver damage