What is it?
Hepatitis B (also known as Hep B) is caused by a virus and results in inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis B virus is passed through sex, blood, saliva. It can be contracted in a number of ways:
- sexual intercourse with an infected partner (particularly in men who have sex with men)
- mother-to-baby transmission
- blood transfusions
- infected needles, through practices such as injecting illicit drugs, tattooing or acupuncture
- infected dental instruments
- reused razors (eg at a barber)
What does it do?
In many people the disease will give no symptoms and they will remain only carriers. But in 10% of children and 50% of adults, an illness develops after an incubation of 6 to 8 weeks. The effects of Hepatitis B may include suffer nausea, fever, vomiting and a rash followed by jaundice, with around 1% dying of acute hepatitis. A further 10% will instead develop chronic hepatitis, which in up to a quarter of cases will eventually cause fatal cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.
Where is it?
Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and a number of Pacific Islands are high-risk areas in which more than 10% of the local people are carriers. South America, North Africa, Eastern Europe, India, China and the far north of North America are medium-risk areas, with infection rates of 2 to 10%. Western Europe and the rest of North America are low-risk, with fewer than 2% of the population infected.
Can it be treated?
The Hepatitis B virus is treated with long and complex drug therapy on top of supportive care.
Can it be prevented?
Yes
- Avoid Hepatitis B infection by avoiding sex with strangers and practice safe sex should this occur.
- Consider vaccination if travelling to high-risk areas or taking part in risky adventure activities.
- Take a first-aid kit and sterile needles. These can be bought from chemists or travel clinics.
- Avoid tattooing or acupuncture unless you can be certain the needles are sterile.
Danger rating: 4/10
