Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that’s spread through blood and body fluids. The chance of getting it in the UK is low.

It often doesn’t cause any symptoms in adults and usually passes in a few months without treatment. In children it often persists for years and may eventually cause serious liver damage.

A hepatitis B vaccine is available on the NHS as part of routine child vaccination, or if you’re at high risk.

Symptoms of hepatitis B

Many people with hepatitis B won’t have any symptoms.

If you do develop symptoms, they tend to occur 2 or 3 months after exposure to the hepatitis B virus.

Symptoms of hepatitis B include:

• tiredness
• a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
• general aches and pains
• loss of appetite
• feeling and being sick
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

When to get medical advice

Speak to your GP practice if:

• you think you may have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus – emergency treatment can help prevent infection if given within a few days of exposure
• you have symptoms of hepatitis B
• you’re at high risk of hepatitis B

Diagnosing hepatitis B

A blood test can check if you have hepatitis B or have had it in the past. The hepatitis B vaccine may also be recommended to reduce your risk of infection.

Treatments for hepatitis B

Treatment for hepatitis B depends on how long you’ve been infected for.

Emergency treatment

If you’ve been exposed to the virus in the last few days, emergency treatment can help stop you becoming infected.

Treatment for acute hepatitis B

Acute hepatitis B means you’ve only had the infection for a few weeks or months. You may only need treatment to relieve your symptoms while your body fights off the infection itself.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B means you’ve had the infection for more than 6 months. You may be offered medicines that can keep the virus under control and reduce the risk of liver damage.

Chronic hepatitis B often requires:

• long-term or lifelong treatment
• regular checks for any further liver problems

How is hepatitis B spread?

The hepatitis B virus is found in the blood, semen and vaginal fluids and bodily fluids of an infected person.

It can be spread by:

• a mother to her newborn baby, particularly in countries where the infection is common
• within families (child to child) in countries where the infection is common
• injecting drugs and sharing needles and other drug equipment, such as spoons and filters
• having sex with an infected person without using a condom
• having a tattoo, body piercing, or medical or dental treatment with unsterilised equipment
• sharing toothbrushes, razors or scissors contaminated with infected blood

Hepatitis B is not spread by kissing, holding hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing crockery and utensils.

How to prevent hepatitis B

A vaccine that offers protection against hepatitis B is available for all babies born in the UK on or after 1 August 2017. It’s also available for people at high risk of the infection or complications from it.

People at high risk of hepatitis B

People at high risk of hepatitis B include:

• babies born to mothers with hepatitis B
• close family and sexual partners of someone with hepatitis B
• people travelling to a part of the world where hepatitis B is widespread
• families adopting or fostering children from high-risk countries
• people who inject drugs or have a sexual partner who injects drugs
• people who change their sexual partner often
• men who have sex with men
• male and female sex workers
• people whose job puts them at risk of contact with blood or body fluids, such as nurses, prison staff, doctors, dentists and laboratory staff
• people with chronic liver disease
• people with chronic kidney disease
• people in prison
• people receiving regular blood or blood products, and their carers

Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) testing

NHS Scotland is making the blood supply safer by introducing enhanced hepatitis B screening. This is an additional measure to improve testing for blood donors and further increase the safety of the blood supply chain.

NHS Scotland has been conducting this enhanced screening on all donations since April 2022. Only a small number of donors are impacted, however, these donors will no longer be able to donate.

Living with hepatitis B

As well as medical treatments, there are some things you can do when you have hepatitis B to help ease the symptoms and stop the infection spreading to others.

Do

• eat a healthy and balanced diet
• rest and stay hydrated
• take painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen – ask your doctor for advice about how much paracetamol you should take as you may not be able to take a normal dose
• keep your room well ventilated, wear loose clothing and avoid hot showers and baths if you feel itchy
• speak to your doctor if you’re thinking of having a baby

Don’t

• do not have unprotected sex – including anal and oral sex
• do not drink alcohol – this can increase your risk of developing serious liver problems
• do not share toothbrushes, razors or needles with other people

Your close contacts, such as family members, may need to be vaccinated.

Complications of hepatitis B

Most people do not have any lasting problems after having a hepatitis B infection.

In some patients chronic hepatitis B can cause liver damage (cirrhosis) and increase your risk of getting liver cancer.

It is important that all patients with chronic hepatitis B are followed up in specialist clinics. If required, treatment can control hepatitis B infection, preventing serious complications.