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Transmission + Prevention Of Hepatitis B

Transmission of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is passed on when microscopic amounts of blood or body fluids (for example, spit, cum, or vaginal secretions) that contain the hepatitis B virus enter another person’s body through:

Sex with an infected person without using a condom
Broken skin
Mucous membranes
Sharing contaminated injecting equipment
Needle-stick injury
Shaving razors and toothbrushes
Hepatitis B can also be passed on from mother to baby at birth.

If you have hepatitis B

Do not donate blood, organs or tissue
Consider advising any other treating doctor or health professional (e.g. dentists) that you have hepatitis B
Be careful to make sure that other people are not exposed to your blood or body fluids. Clean up any blood with paper towels and clean thoroughly with detergent and water until no obvious stains are left. If a large blood spill occurs on carpet, it may need to be shampooed or steam-cleaned
Cover wounds with a waterproof bandage (e.g. band aid)
Use condoms with sexual partners
Carefully dispose of any needles or syringes you may have used and never share any injecting equipment or your razor or toothbrush with anyone else.

Preventing Hepatitis B

Vaccination

If you have HIV and haven’t already been infected with hepatitis A or hepatitis B, you are advised to get these vaccinations as soon as possible. If you are infected with hepatitis C, it is crucial that you get these vaccinations to protect your liver from further damage by hepatitis A and/or hepatitis B. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are safe and effective for people with HIV and available from doctors and sexual health clinics.

Both vaccinations consist of a course of injections – usually two for hepatitis A and three for hepatitis B – given over a number of months. For the vaccine to be effective it is important to have all the injections.

A small proportion of individuals receiving hepatitis B vaccination do not get an adequate antibody response to the vaccine. The lower your CD4 cell count, the more likely you will not get an antibody response. This doesn't mean you necessarily need booster vaccinations. Your doctor will monitor your antibody response to the vaccination.

Preventing spread

To prevent the spread of hepatitis B:

Everyone with HIV and all sexually active gay men are advised to get vaccinated
Use condoms with sexual partners
If you are pregnant, you should have a blood test for hepatitis B; infants born to mothers with hepatitis B, should be vaccinated after birth. Talk with your doctor
Do not share any injecting equipment
Do not share personal items that may have microscopic amounts of blood on them (e.g. razors or toothbrushes)
If having a tattoo or body piercings, make sure that the practitioner uses disposable and sterile equipment
Recent contacts of a person infected with HBV who are not immune, should consider treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) vaccine as soon as possible. Talk with your doctor.

Occupational disclosure of hepatitis B

If you have hepatitis B there is no legal requirement to tell your employer unless you are a health care worker who performs exposure prone procedures (EPPs) - (for more information about EPPs and to see a definition, read the section on this website - 'Employment rights for people with HIV/occupational disclosure'.

Health care workers who perform EPPs, have a responsibility to advise either their employer, professional organisation or Advisory Panel if they are HBeAg-positive or HBV DNA-positive. Talk with your doctor or professional association for information.