Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This mostly occurs during sexual contact or as a result of blood-to-blood contact (eg. from occupational risks or contaminated equipment during medical and dental procedures, tattooing or body piercing procedures, and sharing of intravenous needles).

Symptoms more commonly occur in adults than children and may include jaundice, loss of appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Persistent infection may lead to liver failure or liver cancer.

Travellers should avoid contact with blood or body fluids.

Hepatitis B vaccine
– From 6 months
– 2 to 4 doses required (dependent on timings)
– £45 per dose