HEPATITIS B

What is hepatitis B ?
  • ➢ Blood borne virus causing inflammation of the liver
  • ➢ 100 times more infectious than Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • ➢ Symptoms can include fatigue, flu like illness,dark urine, pale stools and possibly jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and/or skin)
  • ➢ The World Health Organisation (WHO) report that there are 350 million chronically infected world wide
  • ➢ High prevalence in Africa – low in Western Europe
  • ➢ Vaccine available
  • ➢ Roughly 9 out of 10 people will experience an acute (short- term) infection and manage to clear the virus naturally.
  • ➢ Treatment is available in the UK for those who do not clear the virus.
Transmission

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through:
  • ➢ Sharing needles and other injecting equipment or paraphernalia.
  • ➢ Unprotected anal, vaginal and oral sex. There is an increased risk if there are sexually transmitted infections present, multiple partners or if sexual practices involve contact with blood (either intentionally or unintentionally, such as sex when a woman is menstruating (having a period)
  • ➢ Sharing sex toys, always clean between use if being used by more than one person, ideally use a fresh condom to cover them before each use and user.
  • ➢ Mother-to-baby during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
  • ➢ Sharing cocaine straws
  • ➢ Tattooing and body piercing with equipment that is not adequately sterilised.
  • ➢ Sharing razors, hair clippers, toothbrushes, scissors, nail clippers.
  • ➢ Blood transfusion or blood products (pre 1991in UK)
  • ➢ Needle stick injury


Testing

A blood test for hep B antibodies is the same as any other blood test, you may be offered or recommended to have a test or you can request a test

Free confidential testing is available at the Sexual Health Service Clinic, St Marys Hospital, Newport: Phone 534202 for appointments.

Island Drugs and Alcohol Service (IDAS) offer dried blood spot testing to service users: Phone 526654 for more information.

General Practitioners (GPs)

Prevention

Condoms are the most effective way of preventing the transmission of hep B,C, HIV and sexually transmitted infections as well as preventing an unintended pregnancy. They can be used effectively for vaginal, anal or oral sex, use in conjunction with water-based lubricants.

Drug paraphernalia – never share any works or water, always use new or clean. Needle Exchange Pharmacies and Island Drugs and Alcohol Service (IDAS) offer a pick & mix menu choice, including condoms.


Hepatitis B vaccinations

WHY?
  • ➢ Hepatitis B (hep B) is a serious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine has the potential to prevent infection in individuals by allowing the body to make specific antibodies to the antigen in the vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccinations
  • ➢ Overall 85-95% of individuals have an immune response to the vaccine which then helps to protect them from the hep B virus.
  • ➢ Immunisation is recommended in individuals who are at an increased risk of hep B because of their lifestyle, occupation or other factors such as close contact with a carrier.
  • ➢ Course of vaccines can vary between individual need.
  • ➢ Rapid schedule day 0, day 7, day 30
  • ➢ Routine schedule day 0, 1 & 6 months
  • ➢ Hep B antibody test (blood test) 1-4 months later
  • ➢ One single booster after 5 years


Vaccinations
Vaccines are available from your GP surgery, you may have to ask for it

IDAS offer vaccinations to their service users
The Sexual Health Service Clinic, St Marys Hospital, Newport: Phone 534202 for appointments.



Page last updated on: 09/06/2008