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Hepatitis means ‘inflammation of the liver’. Hepatitis B (also referred to as hep B) is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is an infection that can lead to serious liver problems. The virus is found in blood and, to a lesser degree, in body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. You can get hepatitis B by having unsafe sex, sharing unsterile piercing or drug injecting equipment, or engaging in other activities where the blood or body fluids of an infected person enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person. The virus may also be passed from a pregnant mother to her baby. In about 30 to 40 per cent of cases, infections occur without a known cause. Children who get hepatitis B are more likely to have ongoing infection and therefore more likely to develop liver disease or cancer in later life. Most adults who have hepatitis B recover completely (clear the virus) and do not require ongoing treatment. All children born in Australia after 2000 were given immunisation for hepatitis B as part of the childhood immunisation schedule. All children and adults at increased risk should be immunised against hepatitis B. Symptoms of hepatitis BSome people who are infected with the hepatitis B virus have mild, flu-like symptoms and some do not become sick at all. Children who are infected are less likely to have an illness or get sick after getting hepatitis B than adults. (However, the health consequences for people who were infected with hepatitis B in childhood can be more serious in the long term.) In more severe cases, hepatitis B can cause:
Normally, these health problems disappear in a few weeks, but even when the person feels much better, they may still be infectious. Most adults who become infected with the hepatitis B virus recover completely and do not become infected again. A few people become very ill in the time just after infection and need to go to hospital; some may even die. Complications of hepatitis BA small proportion of people who become infected with the hepatitis B virus develop a long-term (chronic) hepatitis B infection. They may have the virus in their bloodstream for most of their life without realising they are infected. People with chronic hepatitis B infection may not notice any health problems until they develop liver problems such as liver disease (scarring or cirrhosis) or liver cancer later in life. Treatment for hepatitis B is essential because it is not possible to be a ‘healthy carrier’ of the hepatitis B virus. Chronic hepatitis B infection occurs more commonly in some communities, including:
Causes of hepatitis BHepatitis B is spread through contact with blood that contains the hepatitis B virus. If infected blood or body fluids enter another person’s bloodstream, that person may become infected. The time from exposure to the hepatitis B virus to the appearance of the illness (if symptoms occur) is 45 to 180 days. Risky activities that can cause infection include:
Mothers who have hepatitis B can pass the virus to their babies or children at the time of birth or after birth. If the newborn baby is quickly immunised with 2 vaccines, they can be protected from getting hepatitis B. All blood and blood products produced for medical purposes in Australia are carefully screened for hepatitis B and other blood-borne viruses. The risk of getting infected with hepatitis B from a blood transfusion is extremely low (approximately 1 in 764,000). Reducing the risk of hepatitis BSimple steps that everyone can take to protect themselves against hepatitis B include:
If you have hepatitis B:
If you think you have been exposed to hepatitis B, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor can give you treatment in some instances, which greatly reduces the risk of you becoming infected with hepatitis B. Diagnosis of hepatitis BBlood tests are available to determine if you are or have been infected with hepatitis B. It may take 6 months from the time of infection before a blood test can detect antibodies to hepatitis B, so follow-up testing may be required. During this 6-month period, until you know whether you are infected or not, take action to prevent potential infection of other people. There are also tests that can assess liver damage from hepatitis B. The interpretation of these tests can be complicated and specialist advice is needed, so talk to your doctor. All pregnant women are tested for hepatitis B. If you are found to have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor can help reduce the risk of transferring the infection to your newborn child. Check-ups and treatment for hepatitis BAll people living with long term (chronic) hepatitis B require regular check-ups, but only some require regular medicine (antiviral medications, some of which are covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Medicine for hepatitis B controls the amount of virus in the body but does not clear or cure the person of the infection. People whose bodies are naturally maintaining low levels of the virus in their blood and who have no sign of liver damage do not need to be on medication for hepatitis B. People who have high levels of the virus or some liver damage can have treatment that will control and reduce the amount of virus in their body, prevent liver damage and help to heal their scarred liver. Your body’s ability to control the virus can change, so you may need medication at some times, and not at others. The decision to start treatment for hepatitis B is complicated. Talk to your doctor or specialist to understand whether you need it or not. While not everyone living with long-term hepatitis B requires medications, all people with long-term hepatitis B need to have regular check-ups for their hepatitis B, every 6 to 12 months. If you have long-term hepatitis B, consult with your doctor. They will monitor your condition and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. You can also help to keep your liver healthy by: Immunisation for hepatitis BImmunisation is the best protection against hepatitis B infection. A course of vaccination is recommended for all babies and people in high-risk groups. Immunisation can be with a vaccine against hepatitis B alone or with a combination vaccine. To be immunised, contact your doctor or local council. Protection against hepatitis B is available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program . In Victoria, immunisation against hepatitis B is free for:
In Victoria, free hepatitis B vaccine is provided for people who are at increased risk of infection, including:
Immunisation is also recommended, but not necessarily free, for people who are at increased risk of infection, including:
Remember that being immunised against hepatitis B does not protect you against HIV, hepatitis C or other diseases spread by blood or body fluids, so you still need to take precautions to ensure you are not exposed to these diseases. Pregnancy and hepatitis B immunisationHepatitis B vaccine is not usually recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, but could be recommended by your doctor if you are not immune to hepatitis B and you are at increased risk of infection. Where to get help
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