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One third of adults will display no symptoms of
Hepatitis B. Another third will only be mildly affected with the
flu-like symptoms, while the remaining third will suffer from increasingly
severe symptoms e.g. more abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured
stool, yellowing of the skin and white of the eye - jaundice. Hepatitis
may be invisible during its most contagious phases. After 6 months,
if a person is still infected with the virus, they are considered
a chronic carrier. Approximately 5-10% of infected adults go on
to become chronic carriers and are highly infectious to others.
How is HBV spread?
It is spread in semen, saliva, blood, and urine
by:
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Intimate and sexual
contact, from kissing to vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse
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Use of unclean needles to inject drugs
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Accidental pricks with contaminated
needles in the course of health care
Diagnosis
Blood Test
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Treatment
There is no satisfactory cure at present. In most
cases the infection clears within 4-8 weeks. Some people, however,
remain contagious for the rest of their lives. A healthy diet and
rest may help recovery. A vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B is available.
A complete course of vaccination can provide immunity for up to
5 years. Thereafter a booster dose may be needed to maintain a protective
level of antibodies.
How to avoid Hepatitis B
Condoms may offer limited protection against hepatitis
during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. However the virus can
be passed through kissing and other intimate touching. Children
and adults who do not have HBV can get permanent protection with
a series of HBV vaccinations.
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Where to get tested for Hepatitis B
Referral to a STD clinic is needed for diagnosis
and screening for other STDs. Partners should also be screened.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological
Agents) Regulations, 1994, all employers in Ireland are legally
responsible for protecting their employees from exposure to biological
agents, which includes Hepatitis B. It declares:
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To provide training and information
on biological hazards
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To perform a risk assessment for each
employee on the basis of what work is done
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To offer vaccination free of charge
to all employees exposed to biological hazards
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To record vaccination details or refusal
of vaccination by employees
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