Hepatitis B

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Hepatitis B is a virus spread through the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. Many people do not realise they have been infected with the virus, because symptoms may not develop immediately, or at all.

The hepatitis B virus can then go on to cause a chronic (long-term) illness, which follows the acute infection. This is very common if babies or children contract the virus, but can also occur in adults.

If you develop chronic hepatitis B, you may remain well, but you can pass on the virus (youâ€™re a carrier). Symptoms may come and go, or you may develop serious liver damage.

There are approximately 2000 million people infected and 300 million carriers of the virus, worldwide.

The virus is present in body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid. It can be passed from person to person, through unprotected sex (without using a condom) and sharing needles to inject drugs.

Infected mothers can also transmit the virus to their baby during the delivery process (often without the woman being aware that she is infected).

The incubation period (i.e. the time from coming into contact with the virus to developing the infection) is between one and six months.

There is a blood test to detect the virus. There is also a vaccine to protect you against hepatitis B. The occurrence of chronic Hepatitis B virus infection is highest in the sub Saharan Africa, south east Asia, the eastern Mediterranean and relatively low in Australia, New Zealand, northern and western Europe and North America.