What is it?

Hepatitis is a blood borne virus that causes inflammation of the liver. This is made worse by alcohol or drugs. Other viruses can cause inflammation of the liver and hepatitis, but they act differently.

How is it passed on?

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is very common and infectious. It can be spread through the following:

• unprotected penetrative sex with someone who is infected
• sharing contaminated needles or other drug-injecting equipment
• using non-sterilised equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing
• a blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested for the hepatitis B virus

Symptoms

People may have no symptoms at all, but they can still pass on the virus to others. Symptoms can include:

• a short, mild flu like illness
• feeling sick and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale faeces)
• itchy skin.

How do I know if I’ve got it?

Your doctor or your family planning clinic can diagnose hepatitis B by carrying out specificblood tests.

Treatment

If you have an active infection of hepatitis B you will be advised to have regular blood tests and physical check ups. You should also limit the amount of alcohol you drink. The doctor may advise that you avoid fatty foods and go on a low salt diet.

You should always use a condom when you have penetrative sex to prevent passing on the virus. Your partner should also be immunised against hepatitis B (if not already infected).

Sometimes treatment with “interferon alpha” is given by injections, or a course of antiviral tablets can be prescribed for many months.

Immunisation

Three injections are given over a period of three to six months. You can get these from your doctor of sexual health clinic. A blood test is taken once the course of injections is completed to check that they have worked. Immunity should last for at least five years

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