Hepatitis B: what you need to know FACTSHEET 37
Hepatitis Queensland
What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause damage to the liver. It is sometimes also called “hep B” or “HBV”. Two billion people worldwide have been exposed to hep B and up to 160,000 people in Australia have chronic hep B. Hepatitis B is different to HIV/AIDS or hepatitis A, C, D or E. A blood test can show if you have had hepatitis B in the past, or if you have it now.
It is safe to share things like food, eating utensils, cups and plates. You cannot get hep B from hugging, kissing, sneezing, mosquitoes, from crying, pets, or sharing toilets or showers.
How can you prevent getting hep B? • • •
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How do you get hep B? Hep B is in all body fluids but it is spread through direct blood and unprotected sexual contact. You can get hep B from: • Mother to child during pregnancy/birth; • Not using a condom during sex (vaginal or anal sex); • Contaminated blood transfusions, blood products, medical or dental equipment (this is an issue in many countries but is very rare in Australia); • Sharing drug injecting equipment (including syringes, spoons, water, filters and tourniquets); • Unsterile cultural or traditional practices that involve blood or skin penetration; • Unsterile tattooing or piercing; • Sharing toothbrushes, razors and tweezers; • Blood-to-blood contact through open wounds; • Needlestick injuries (getting hep B this way is rare); and • Oral sex when there are open cuts, ulcers or sores in the mouth.
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Get vaccinated. This is the best prevention; Avoid blood-to-blood contact; If you have hep B and are pregnant, talk to your doctor about vaccinations and ‘HBIg’ (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) for your baby at birth; Practise safe sex and use a condom; Never share drug injecting equipment; Cover open wounds or cuts with bandaids and clean up any blood spills with disposable gloves and bleach; Always get your tattoos and piercings done by a professional who uses sterile equipment; Don’t share items that may have traces of blood on them like tweezers, razors or toothbrushes; It is safe to breast feed, but if your nipples are cracked or bleeding you should stop breastfeeding temporarily; and If you are not immunised, and you have sexual or blood contact with someone that may have hepatitis B, you should talk to your doctor or clinic about getting vaccinated and HBIg (hepatitis B immunoglobulin). HBIg can help your body fight hep B if you have just been exposed to the virus. You should get the HBIg injection within 72 hours of contact with the virus, or as soon as possible from exposure.
The ABC of Hepatitis Training Package is an initiative of Queensland Health through funding provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the National Hepatitis C Prevention and Education Initiative
Updated: 24 February 2011
For more information www.hepqld.asn.au or Hepatitis Queensland info line 1800 648 491
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