Hepatitis B facts

Globally, 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B.1

While fewer than 1% of Australians have chronic hepatitis2, in a popular holiday destination such as South East Asia, 8 to 10% of the adult population have chronic hepatitis B.1 As the prevalence of hepatitis B increases, so does the risk of contracting it.3

The risk

The hepatitis B virus is hardy and highly infectious.1

It can survive and remain infectious outside the body for at least seven days3 and hepatitis B is over 50 times more infectious than HIV.1

So seemingly innocent activities in hepatitis B endemic countries can put a traveller at risk of catching hepatitis B. These include the following.4

Activities with risk of potential hepatitis B exposure4

  • Engaging in new sexual contacts without condoms
  • Having an injection or blood transfusion
  • Giving first aid
  • Requiring any dental procedures
  • Having any piercing, tattooing or acupuncture
  • Sharing a razor/toothbrush with a newly met person

Activities leading to risk of potential hepatitis B exposure4

  • Riding a motorcycle or driving an off-road vehicle (because of the possibility of an accident requiring medical treatment)
  • Participating in contact sports or water sports (other than swimming)
  • Participating in a contact sport such as football
  • Receiving any sort of injury
  • Visiting a doctor or nurse for any reason

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B.1

It can take several months to a year to recover from acute hepatitis B infection.1

In some cases, hepatitis B may also cause chronic infection that can later develop into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.1

For further information about hepatitis B vaccination, please ask your doctor.

“The (hepatitis B) vaccine should be considered for virtually all non-immune individuals travelling to areas with moderate to high risk of infection.”5
World Health Organization

References. 1. WHO Fact Sheet, No 204. 2. Dore et al. http://alliance.hepatitis.org.au/index.php?page=policy-documents. 3. Spira AM. Clin Ther 2003;25:2337–2351. 4. Streeton CL & Zwar N. J Travel Med 2006;13(6):345–350. 5. World Health Organization. International Travel and Health. Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009, page 106.

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Vaccination can help prevent hepatitis B.

Ask your doctor about hepatitis B vaccination ideally 6–8 weeks before you travel.

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