Hepatitis B
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, sometimes called hep B or HBV. The infection usually only lasts for a few months and most people do not have noticeable symptoms. Individuals who do not clear the virus within six months of infection are said to have chronic infection and about one in four of these individuals will develop liver disease including cirrhosis.
The chance of getting hepatitis B in the UK is low. The risk is higher in some parts of the world including Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
The majority of people with hepatitis B infection acquired the virus during child birth or as a young child from close contact with another person carrying the virus in their blood. You can also get hepatitis B from:
- sex without a condom or dam
- injecting drugs using shared needles
- being injured by a used needle
- having a tattoo or piercing with unsterilized equipment
- having a blood transfusion in a country that does not check blood for hepatitis B. In the UK, blood donations have been screened for hepatitis B since 1996.
A safe and effective vaccine is available that offers 98 to 100% protection against the hepatitis B virus. Household contacts and sexual partners of an individual with hepatitis B should be vaccinated against hepatitis B to protect themselves.
Most people with new hepatitis B infection will clear the hepatitis B virus without treatment. However, long term (chronic) infection often requires treatment to reduce the activity of the virus and slow or stop the progression of liver damage and reduce the occurrence of liver cancer. People with chronic hepatitis B infection should be looked after by a liver specialist.
Find out more about hepatitis B on the British Liver Trust website.
Testing
A blood test is carried out to see if someone has hepatitis B.
Anyone who is at risk of hepatitis B can access free hepatitis B testing through the Umbrella sexual health service. GPs and Change Grow Live (CGL) in Birmingham also offer testing for hepatitis B.
The Hep C Trust team also test in community settings for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C using dry blood spot tests. The Birmingham team can be accessed via the national helpline or calling 020 7089 6221.
Prevention
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 at birth, 4, weeks and 1 year, to reduce the risk of them getting the infection.
Adults should get the hepatitis B vaccination if they are at high risk, for example:
- travelling to a high-risk country
- have liver or kidney disease
- are living with HIV
- have a job that puts them at risk of infection, for example healthcare workers or those who work in a prison – the employer should organise vaccination in at-risk occupations
Individuals can also reduce their risk of contracting hepatitis B through using a condom or dam when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex and avoiding sharing razors, toothbrushes and needles with others.
Page last updated: 10 July 2024
