Hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B virus is passed on very easily and is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV.

How it is transmitted

People with the Hepatitis B virus carry it in their body fluids: they have it in their blood and semen, and in their saliva too. If you get any of these get into your body or bloodstream, you can get Hepatitis B.

Most people get infected through oral or penetrative sex, especially if they don't use condoms. If you inject drugs (including steroids), you are at risk if you share needles and other injecting equipment. Sharing razor blades, sex toys and toothbrushes can also spread the virus, as it can live in dried blood.

There is more information for gay men about Hepatitis and how it is transmitted at www.hepinfo.org.

A person with Hepatitis B is most infectious before they start to show any symptoms of the virus. 

Symptoms

You can start to show symptoms of Hepatitis B about six weeks to six months after getting infected. These symptoms include:

• aches and pains
• exhaustion
• headaches
• fever 
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• stomach pain
• feeling sick.

You may also develop jaundice which makes the whites of your eyes and skin go yellow, your urine go dark and your faeces turn pale.

Hepatitis B can affect people in different ways. Many people don’t get any symptoms, but they can still pass on the virus. Others get mild symptoms that they don’t recognise as Hepatitis B, while others get seriously ill but gradually recover. About 10% of people who get Hepatitis B develop long-term liver problems, while about 1% die as a result of the illness.

What can I do if I think I have Hepatitis?

If you think you have Hepatitis you can go to a NHS sexual health clinic. You can read more about clinics and find your nearest one elsewhere on this website. You can also visit one of our Fastest clinics or your local or family doctor (GP).

Recovery

After a few weeks of feeling very ill, most people get over Hepatitis B without needing treatment, but you might need several months to get your strength back. You might have to have time off work, get plenty of rest and avoid alcohol and recreational drugs for about a year to let your liver recover.

Once you’ve recovered from Hepatitis B you’ll stop being infectious so you won't be able to give it to other people. And you won't get it again.

Most people recover and suffer no lasting damage. But about 1 in 10 people don’t fully recover and they stay infectious. These people have chronic (long-term) hepatitis and are called carriers. Eventually they might suffer from serious liver damage through liver cancer and cirrhosis.

If you have trouble clearing the virus from your body after, say, six months, your doctor might prescribe an anti-viral drug. These often have side-effects like severe nausea, headaches and fever. 

Prevention

Only vaccination gives real protection against Hepatitis B, although the use of condoms can reduce the risk of transmission during sex. The vaccination is safe, free and involves three injections.