Hepatitis B

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Hepatitis B is an acute infection of the liver. It is usually spread through contaminated blood via sexual intercourse, needle sharing, blood transfusions and injections. The virus can also be passed from mother to baby. Tattooing, body piercing and acupuncture are other ways in which the virus may be spread.

Hepatitis B can be either “acute” or “chronic.”

Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus. Acute infection can – but does not always – lead to chronic infection.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person’s body.

Is hepatitis B a serious issue in Wales?

Hepatitis B is less common in the UK than other parts of the world, but certain groups are at an increased risk of catching it. This includes people originally from high-risk countries, people who inject drugs, and people who have unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners.

Who gets hepatitis B in Wales?

As the virus may be transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person, certain people may be at a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis B.

These include:

• Those coming into contact with blood products i.e. healthcare workers, prison officers;
• Sexual partners and close family and household contacts of an infected person;
• Injecting drug users who share needles;
• People who change sexual partners frequently;
• People visiting countries where hepatitis B is common;
• Babies born to infected mothers.

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

How can I tell if someone has hepatitis B?

Many people with hepatitis B infection don’t know they are infected as they have no symptoms at all. Others may experience a range of symptoms when they are first infected.

These may include:

• Flu-like illness;
• Extreme tiredness;
• Loss of appetite;
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice);
• Dark urine.

Anyone with the infection can pass it on to others, even if they don’t have any symptoms or don’t know they are infected. Hepatitis B infection is usually identified by a blood test.

There is no cure for hepatitis B yet but there is some treatment which may help to stop the liver damage from getting worse and the virus from multiplying. The effectiveness of this treatment differs between individuals.

How do I protect myself from hepatitis B?

Ways of reducing your risk of getting hepatitis B infection include:

• Avoid having unprotected sexual intercourse, especially if you change partners frequently;
• Make certain that needles used for drugs, piercing and tattooing are sterile – do not share;
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes or pierced jewellery with anyone;
• Wear gloves when touching or cleaning up blood/body fluids of others;
• Wash your hands and any skin that has come into contact with any blood/skin;
• Cover all open cuts or wounds;
• Have the hepatitis B vaccination if you think you are at risk of getting hepatitis B infection.

How do I protect others from getting hepatitis B?

If you have hepatitis B, it’s also important to try to reduce the risk of others getting the infection from you.

You should:

• Avoid having unprotected sex – including anal and oral sex, unless you’re sure your partner has been vaccinated against hepatitis B;
• Avoid sharing needles used to inject drugs with other people;
• Take precautions to avoid the spread of infection – such as not sharing toothbrushes or razors with other people; close contacts such as family members may need to be vaccinated;
• Eat a generally healthy, balanced diet – there’s no special diet for people with hepatitis B;
• Avoid drinking alcohol – this can increase your risk of developing serious liver problems;
• Speak to your doctor if you’re thinking of having a baby.

Any close contacts, such as people who live in the same house as you, may be advised to have the hepatitis B vaccine to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

Screening for hepatitis B

During pregnancy, all women are offered screening for hepatitis B. Some mothers infected with hepatitis B are considered especially high risk because they are highly infectious. All babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B should have a blood test at 12 months to check if they have become infected with hepatitis B.

Learn more

If you would like to learn more about the vaccine, or the diseases they protect against, a number of information resources are available to help.

NHS 111 Wales has extensive information about hepatitis B on its website. You can also seek advice from your GP or at your local sexual health clinic.  

For more information on hepatitis B and its symptoms, visit the British Liver Trust website.

You can get a free self-testing kit that will test for hepatitis B here