Viral hepatitis (hepatitis B)

Many people with hepatitis B won’t have any symptoms. If you do develop symptoms they tend to occur two to three months after exposure to the hepatitis B virus. Some of the symptoms include fever, tiredness and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

See more information on the potential symptoms at NHS inform.

You can become infected with hepatitis B if you come into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. There are a number of ways in which it can be spread including:

• Transmission from a mother to her newborn baby or within families (child to child) particularly in countries where the infection is common
• Tattoos, acupuncture and piercings that are carried out abroad or in unlicensed premises where equipment may not be sterile
• Sharing needles and other injecting equipment such as water, filters and syringes. 
• Undergoing medical or dental treatment in countries where infection control is poor and you suspect the equipment may not have been sterilised properly
• Sharing toothbrushes, scissors, nail clippers or razors contaminated with infected blood
• Having sex with an infected person without using a condom. If your partner has hepatitis B, you should be tested.

Please note that hepatitis B is not spread by sharing crockery and utensils or by touching household items such as door handles. Hepatitis B is a bloodborne virus and is therefore not spread by sneezing, coughing or through contact through hugging, holding hands and kissing.

Prevention

Unlike hepatitis C, there is an effective vaccine for hepatitis B.

The vaccine is offered:

• to infants to protect against future exposure risks
• to those at high risk of potential exposure to the virus
• as part of post-exposure prophylaxis to those who have been exposed to the virus

Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a simple blood test. If you think you have been at risk, please get tested.

If you are diagnosed with hepatitis B you will be referred to the Viral Hepatitis Specialist Nurse. The nurse will perform blood tests and a scan to determine what condition your liver is in and discuss if treatment is required.

There are lots of ways in which you can be tested. If you are having any difficulty accessing a test for HBV please contact the Viral Hepatitis service on 01463 705086 or 01463 706243.

Testing is offered:

• through your GP practice
• for clients who attend drug and alcohol recovery services throughout the NHS Highland area
• through sexual health services
• through the Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service (HADASS), Church Street, Inverness

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, there are treatments. However, not everyone with a hepatitis B infection would need treatment. This would depend on a number of factors including whether the infection is acute or chronic.

If you have hepatitis B and would like to discuss treatment please contact the Viral Hepatitis service on 01463 705086 or 01463 706243.

Healthcare professionals can refer patients to the Viral Hepatitis service through the TAM liver guidelines or directly by emailing nhsh.viralhepatitisnurses@nhs.scot.