Hepatitis B

What Is It?

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

How Is It Passed On?

HBV is more infectious than HIV and can be transmitted through sexual contact and contact with blood or blood stained saliva in urine.

What Are The Symptoms?

There might not be any symptoms in early stages of the illness. If there are symptoms, they may appear with 4 weeks of infections. You might feel severely tired, suffer from headache, have a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting or tenderness in the stomach area. As illness progresses you may suffer stomach pain, yellowing of the skin and white of the eye.

How Is It Treated?

Visit your GUM clinic or GP to have your Hepatitis B diagnosed. There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis B but there is a vaccine against the virus available at GUM clinics. Most people with Hepatitis B recover completely after rest, but in some cases there may be long term liver damage.

Remember treatment in a STI clinic is confidential, non-judgmental and free. Staff in the clinic are trained to treat STIs in an understanding and helpful way so there is no need for you to feel embarrassed.