Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Vaccine Information

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that is spread through infected blood or bodily fluids. It’s most common when having unprotected sex and injecting drugs through needles.

Hepatitis B countries at risk

Hepatitis B can be caught all over the world, however high risk areas include Asia, Africa and South America.

Signs and Symptoms

Infection of Hepatitis B can but similar, but more serious than Hepatitis A. Symptoms of Hepatitis B usually appear 1 – 4 months after infection. Sufferers can experience the following common symptoms:

• Jaundice which is when the skin and eyes turn yellow
• Fatigue, nausea and vomiting
• Fever, aches and pains.
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Dark coloured urine

Taking precautions from Hepatitis B

Make sure you are fully aware and understand the status of your sexual partners. Ensure you practice safe sex and always use protection. Also never share needles or any any drugs which require injection. Avoid tattooing and body piercings in unsafe and unlicensed places.

Prevention

Hepatitis B is preventable by having a vaccination, the vaccine is is an inactivated vaccine containing a surface protein from the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine is 95% effective at preventing infection and development of chronic disease.