Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that causes damage to the liver. It can make some people very sick and may cause serious, long-term liver damage and liver cancer. Hepatitis B infection can cause:
- short term (acute) illness lasting less than 6 months
- or life-long (chronic) illness
Anyone can get hepatitis B, including babies, children and adults. The good news is, hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine.
Signs and symptoms
Some people with hepatitis B don’t know they have it. Most children and about half of adults show no symptoms when they are first infected with the virus. Some people get sick and may need to go to hospital.
Early symptoms can include:
- stomach pain
- feeling sick or unwell
- vomiting
- feeling weak or very tired
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches, pains or fever.
Later symptoms include:
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- dark coloured urine
- pale stools (poo)
A blood test can check for hepatitis B. It can show if someone has the virus, or had an infection in the past, or has no immunity and needs vaccination. It is important for people to get tested if they have been in contact with hepatitis B, even if they do not feel sick.
Treatment
Most people with acute hepatitis B (short term infection) do not require specific treatment, but are recommended to:
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- avoid alcohol and greasy foods
- avoid sexual contact (during acute illness) unless their partner is immune
- have regular medical checkups and repeat testing
People living with chronic hepatitis B may need medication to reduce the virus and protect their liver from scarring (cirrhosis), cancer and liver failure. Medication is not a cure, and a doctor, nurse practitioner or liver specialist will decide if it is needed. Regular liver checkups every 6 to 12 months are important to monitor for liver damage and see if treatment is needed. Other important steps for managing chronic hepatitis B include:
- limiting or avoid alcohol
- stopping or cutting down smoking
- eating a healthy diet
Transmission
Hepatitis B can spread through blood and sexual fluids (such as vaginal secretions and semen) from a person with the infection, including from:
- mother to baby during birth
- contact with blood from uncovered cuts or sores
- sharing needles, syringes, toothbrushes, razors, or sex toys
- using equipment that hasn’t been properly cleaned (e.g. for tattoos or piercings); or
- having vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection (using condoms)
Most hepatitis B infections occur when the virus is passed from mother to baby at birth or during early childhood. In Australia, babies are offered the Hepatitis B vaccine soon after birth to protect them. Most people living with hepatitis B in Australia were born in countries where vaccination and other ways of preventing the virus were not as widely available.
Hepatitis B is not spread by casual contact such as hugging or holding hands, kissing, coughing or sneezing, or sharing food or utensils.
Prevention
The most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. For more information, see the section on ‘Immunisation’ below.
Other ways to prevent hepatitis B are:
- avoiding contact with blood: do not share injecting equipment or personal items that may have traces of blood, such as tweezers, razors, toothbrushes, nail files, or sex toys
- covering cuts and wounds to prevent blood exposure
- wearing gloves when cleaning up blood or body fluids, and using disinfectant
- practicing safer sex using condoms and water-based lubricant
People living with hepatitis B can help prevent passing it to others by following the same steps above and by:
- not donating blood, semen, or organs
- ensuring sexual partners and household contacts are screened and vaccinated if they are not immune. Doctors or health workers can help notify contacts confidentially
- pregnant people should seek medical advice to reduce the risk of passing hepatitis B to their baby
Most of the time, people with hepatitis B do not need to tell others. However, it is important for them to tell:
- Their doctor or health care providers – so that they receive the best care and regular checkups
- Their sexual partners and other people who live in the same household – so these contacts can be tested and vaccinated. Doctors, nurses and health workers can help let contacts know in a way that is confidential and without mentioning names.
- Some employers – for example some healthcare employers or the Australian Defence Force
- Insurance companies – when applying for certain types of cover.
Immunisation
Hepatitis B vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against hepatitis B infection, and is recommended for:
- all babies and infants
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people who are immunocompromised
- people with medical risk factors
- people in occupations with increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B (e.g. healthcare workers, emergency services staff)
- travellers to hepatitis B–endemic areas who may be at increased risk
- people whose circumstances increase their risk of acquiring hepatitis B (e.g. household or sexual contacts of people with hepatitis B)
Hepatitis B vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for babies within 7 days of being born, and children aged 2 months, 4 months and 6 months.
Eligible people under 20 years old, and refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can get a free catch-up vaccination.
Queensland also funds Hepatitis B vaccine for the following groups, if not previously vaccinated:
- household or other close (household-like) contacts of people living with hepatitis B
- sexual contacts of people living with hepatitis B
- migrants from hepatitis B endemic countries
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people with chronic liver disease and/or hepatitis C
- people who inject drugs.
Health outcome
Most adults who are infected with hepatitis B will recover and are protected from the virus for life, while around 5% will not recover and will develop chronic hepatitis B.
People who are infected with hepatitis B at a younger age are more likely to develop a chronic, life-long infection.
| Age infected | Acute infection | Chronic/lifelong infection |
|---|---|---|
| Babies and Infants | Symptoms rare | 90% |
| Children | Symptoms rare | 30% |
| Adolescents/adults | Symptoms common | 5% or less |
Chronic hepatitis B is a serious condition that can lead to liver failure (the liver stops working), liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. About a quarter of people living with chronic hepatitis B will develop these serious conditions. However, regular liver checkups and treatment, if recommended by a doctor, can prevent these outcomes so that people living with hepatitis B can live full and healthy lives.
Treating people with respect, privacy and support helps everyone feel safe and included. Discrimination or unfair treatment because of hepatitis B is never acceptable.
Other resources
Help and assistance
More information and support for people living with hepatitis B is available by contacting:
- HepLink Australia on 1800 437 222 or
- Ethnic Council of Communities Queensland (07) 3844 9166 or
- All good
If you are in an emergency situation, call 000
Get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call, by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
For further information, please contact your local doctor, community health centre or nearest public health unit.