About the disease

• A virus usually transmitted via blood or infected body fluids.
• It is 100 times more infectious than the HIV virus.
• 2 billion people worldwide have it.
• It is the second most common cause of cancer (liver) after tobacco.
• You have a 1:125 chance of catching it in endemic areas (South East asia, Pacific rim and West Africa)

• South and Central America
• Indian subcontinent
• The Middle East.
• Present but rare in most of Europe, Australasia and North America

Symptoms

The incubation period is 2 to 6 months.Sometimes infection gives minimal or no symptoms , but you may become a carrier of the disease. This is more common in children.
More usually, the illness is similar to hepatitis A with fever and jaundice but is much more debilitating and prolonged.

Carriers

1 in 10 of those infected become chronic carriers. For every 100 carriers, 4 will get cirrhosis and 2 will get liver cancer. This can occur a variable number of years later.

Treatment

See a doctor ASAP. There is little in the way of active treatment for the acute illness but steroids and antivirals/interferon are being used to treat complications.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

• Dose depends on particular vaccine used. The adult dose is given to those over 15 and a paediatric dose to those younger
• Given into muscle, usually in the upper arm. 3 doses are required to produce immunity. They are normally given at:
  0, 1 and 6 months.
• Other schedules are available if you are due to travel in less than 6 months, but you need to speak to us ASAP.
• Boosters after a primary course may be needed 5 yearly

Who should be vaccinated

...NOT EVERYBODY!
Official guidance says the following groups should be vaccinated:

• Travellers going to medium and high risk areas for long periods (e.g. more than 3 months) and frequent travellers to these areas.
• Those at occupational risk (e.g. health care workers) and young children mixing with locals in school or in poor hygienic conditions.
• Those with pre-existing medical conditions who may need medical attention or surgical procedures (e.g. if pregnant)
• Those who may be at sexual risk or at risk of sharing percutaneous needles (e.g. intravenous drug users).
• Military personnel