Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It occurs worldwide with the highest rates reported in parts of East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Higher rates of infection are also found in the Amazon, southern parts of Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. The rates of infection in Western Europe and North America are low.

The risk for travellers is low although certain behaviours or activities put individuals at higher risk, particularly when these occur in areas where hepatitis B is more common.

These behaviours and activities include:

unprotected sex
exposure to blood or blood products through occupation, such as healthcare work
exposure to contaminated needles through injecting drug use, or as a result of accessing medical or dental
participation in contact sports
adoption of children from at-risk countries
long stay travel

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B include mild fever, flu-like symptoms, high temperature, gastro-intestinal upset, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, yellow skin, and eyes.

Prevention/Vaccine

Several different vaccines are available for Hepatitis B. Most require a course of three doses which are given rapidly over a one-month course or given over a standard six months course. A combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine is also available at Hope Travel Clinic.