What is the most likely means of contracting hepatitis B in the healthcare setting
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The chance of getting it in the UK is low. There's a vaccine if you're at high risk or travelling to a country where it's more common. The infection usually only lasts for a few months, but some people can have hepatitis B long-term. Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that is spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. You can get hepatitis B from: If you're pregnant and have hepatitis B, you can also pass it onto your baby during pregnancy or birth. The risk of getting hepatitis B is higher in some parts of the world, including: Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis B. In the UK, the hepatitis B vaccine is given to babies as part of the
6-in-1 vaccine. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B are given additional vaccinations at birth, 4, weeks and 1 year, to reduce the risk of them getting the infection. Adults only need to get the vaccine if they're at high risk, for example:
Your employer should organise your vaccination if your job puts you at risk. If you're travelling abroad, get advice from a travel clinic, GP, nurse or pharmacist before you go. Other ways to reduce your riskTo help protect yourself from hepatitis B you should also:
Check if you have hepatitis BSymptoms of hepatitis B infection include:
The infection usually lasts for 1 to 3 months and most people either have no symptoms or mild symptoms. If the infection lasts longer than 6 months it is called chronic hepatitis B. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
Treatments for hepatitis BHepatitis B usually clears up on its own without treatment. You may be offered medicine to help with the symptoms, such as painkillers or medicines to stop you feeling sick. Your GP will refer you to see a liver specialist who will check how well your liver is working. If hepatitis B lasts for over 6 months it is called long-term (chronic) hepatitis B. It is usually treated with antivirals and medicine to help relieve symptoms such as itchiness, pain, and sickness. You will also need to see a liver specialist for regular check-ups. Living with hepatitis BAs well as medical treatments, there are some things you can when you have hepatitis B to help ease the symptoms and stop the infection spreading to others. Do
Don’t
Complications of hepatitis BMost people do not have any lasting problems after having a hepatitis B infection. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis B can cause liver damage (cirrhosis) and increase your risk of getting liver cancer. It is important to take any medicine you have been prescribed and go for regular check-ups to make sure your liver is working properly. Page last reviewed: 01 July 2022 Which is the most common way of contracting hepatitis B?The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposures to sharp instruments.
What is a cause of contracting hepatitis B?You may get hepatitis B if you have unprotected sex with someone who is infected. The virus can pass to you if the person's blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body. Sharing of needles. HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood.
What will increase a person's chance of contracting hepatitis B?You can get infected through contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids. The hepatitis B virus can be spread in the following ways: unprotected vaginal or anal sex. living in a household with a person with chronic (life-long) HBV infection.
What is the most common source of HBV in the workplace?In the workplace, the major source of bloodborne infections is percutaneous injuries from needles or other sharps.
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