Hepatitis B is part of a group of hepatitis viruses that attack the liver.
Hepatitis B, sometimes called Hep B or HBV, is part of a group of viruses that can affect the liver. For most adults the infection only lasts a few months, but some people can get a chronic infection. People with chronic (longer-term) hepatitis B have a higher chance of liver damage.
Babies, children and people with weaker immune systems are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is passed from one person to another when the blood, semen or vaginal fluids of someone who has the virus gets into someone else’s body.
Hepatitis B is passed on by:
The virus can survive outside the body for up to seven days, so it is also advised that you avoid sharing razors and toothbrushes in case there are traces of blood on them.
Hepatitis B can also be passed on from a mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy and birth.
For more details on hepatitis B in pregnancy read our ‘in detail’ tab.
You can prevent hepatitis B by:
Taking PrEP or contraception (apart from condoms) won’t protect you from hepatitis B and other STIs.
Many people don’t have any hepatitis B symptoms. You can pass the virus on even if you don’t have any symptoms and signs of hepatitis B.
If you do get symptoms these can include:
The symptoms for chronic hepatitis B are different. People with chronic hepatitis B are at higher risk of liver failure, liver disease and cancer of the liver.
A simple blood test carried out by a healthcare professional will show whether you have hepatitis B.
If you have hepatitis B, you may also be given extra tests to see if your liver is damaged.
It’s always best to protect yourself from STIs
For many people hepatitis B will clear up without treatment, normally within one to two months. Plenty of rest and painkillers can help with symptoms.
Treatment for chronic (longer-term) hepatitis B involves taking antiviral medication. This can help with symptoms and reduce the risk of liver damage. The treatment controls the virus but cannot cure chronic hepatitis B. Some people will need lifelong treatment for chronic hepatitis B.
Without treatment, chronic hepatitis B can cause the liver to stop working properly. This is called cirrhosis. It happens because the liver can become scarred.
A small number of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer, and these complications can lead to death. Other than a liver transplant, there is no cure for cirrhosis. But treatments can help relieve some of the symptoms.
People who are pregnant can pass hepatitis B on to their babies. This is why you should get tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant. In almost all cases, hepatitis B can be prevented in babies if they are vaccinated in time.
Infants infected at birth are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B and go on to develop liver complications. Ask your healthcare professional for more advice.
If you test positive for hepatitis B, it’s important to tell any recent sexual partners so they can also get tested and treated if necessary. Telling a partner can be a way of showing them you care.
Hepatitis B, sometimes called Hep B or HBV, is part of a group of viruses that can affect the liver. For most adults the infection only lasts a few months, but some people can get a chronic infection. People with chronic (longer-term) hepatitis B have a higher chance of liver damage.
Babies, children and people with weaker immune systems are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is passed from one person to another when the blood, semen or vaginal fluids of someone who has the virus gets into someone else’s body.
Hepatitis B is passed on by:
The virus can survive outside the body for up to seven days, so it is also advised that you avoid sharing razors and toothbrushes in case there are traces of blood on them.
Hepatitis B can also be passed on from a mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy and birth.
For more details on hepatitis B in pregnancy read our ‘in detail’ tab.
You can prevent hepatitis B by:
Taking PrEP or contraception (apart from condoms) won’t protect you from hepatitis B and other STIs.
Many people don’t have any hepatitis B symptoms. You can pass the virus on even if you don’t have any symptoms and signs of hepatitis B.
If you do get symptoms these can include:
The symptoms for chronic hepatitis B are different. People with chronic hepatitis B are at higher risk of liver failure, liver disease and cancer of the liver.
A simple blood test carried out by a healthcare professional will show whether you have hepatitis B.
If you have hepatitis B, you may also be given extra tests to see if your liver is damaged.
It’s always best to protect yourself from STIs
For many people hepatitis B will clear up without treatment, normally within one to two months. Plenty of rest and painkillers can help with symptoms.
Treatment for chronic (longer-term) hepatitis B involves taking antiviral medication. This can help with symptoms and reduce the risk of liver damage. The treatment controls the virus but cannot cure chronic hepatitis B. Some people will need lifelong treatment for chronic hepatitis B.
Without treatment, chronic hepatitis B can cause the liver to stop working properly. This is called cirrhosis. It happens because the liver can become scarred.
A small number of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer, and these complications can lead to death. Other than a liver transplant, there is no cure for cirrhosis. But treatments can help relieve some of the symptoms.
People who are pregnant can pass hepatitis B on to their babies. This is why you should get tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant. In almost all cases, hepatitis B can be prevented in babies if they are vaccinated in time.
Infants infected at birth are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B and go on to develop liver complications. Ask your healthcare professional for more advice.
If you test positive for hepatitis B, it’s important to tell any recent sexual partners so they can also get tested and treated if necessary. Telling a partner can be a way of showing them you care.
