Hepatitis B

Disease and transmission –Hepatitis B is a viral infection and is contracted via infected blood or body fluids. It affects the liver and occurs worldwide, but with much higher rates of infection in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central/Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Amazon. There are certain activities and behaviours which increase the risk to the traveller.

Symptoms – Most have few or no symptoms. If infection occurs in childhood, a person is much more likely to be chronic carriers (always have the disease). Adults are more likely to display the symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine and pale stools. During an acute illness yellow skin and eyes (jaundice) may develop.

Prevention - Avoiding risky activities or behaviours (such as unprotected sex, tattoos, piercings, sharing needles or shaving equipment) can help reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis B. There is a vaccine available which anyone born after 2017 should have received. Other schedules are either two for some children’s vaccines, or three vaccines in adults given over a 6 month period. There is an accelerated schedule over 2 months (or 21 days in some cases) with a fourth booster being required if there is not enough time for the usual schedule.

Treatment – There is no specific treatment for acute Hepatitis B, only supportive treatment is available. However, with chronic hepatitis there are some medications that can help reduce the incidence of complications such as scarring of the liver or liver cancer.

Further information - https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/50/hepatitis-b