men & women
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver, often silent, that spreads through sex and blood contact and is preventable with a safe, effective vaccine.
Symptoms
1
Often no symptoms, especially early on
2
Tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite
3
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
4
Dark urine and pale stools
5
Aching joints or abdominal discomfort
Causes and how it spreads
Hepatitis B spreads through unprotected sex, contact with infected blood, shared razors or needles, and from mother to child at birth. It is many times more infectious than HIV through the same routes. Most adults clear the infection within six months; a minority develop chronic infection that can quietly damage the liver over years.
How PVT tests for it
A blood panel at an accredited pathology laboratory establishes whether you have a current infection, a past cleared infection, or vaccine immunity. If chronic infection is found, further bloods and liver checks stage it and guide management.
Treatment
Acute hepatitis B in adults usually clears on its own with monitoring and supportive care. Chronic infection is manageable: modern antiviral tablets control the virus and protect the liver, alongside regular monitoring. Better still, hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable, and the three-dose vaccine gives most people long-lasting protection.
When to see a doctor
Test if a partner has hepatitis B, after unprotected sex with a new partner, if you have jaundice or unexplained fatigue, or if you were never vaccinated and want to know your status. If you are not immune, vaccination is a simple fix.
Related service
Sexual Health Screening
Sexual health screening at PVT is confidential doctor-led testing for sexually transmitted infections, for men and women, with results and treatment handled privately.
Questions about
Hepatitis B
Is hepatitis B curable?
Most adults who catch hepatitis B clear it completely within six months and become immune. Chronic infection is not currently curable, but modern antiviral tablets keep the virus suppressed and protect the liver, with monitoring at routine intervals.
Should I get the hepatitis B vaccine as an adult?
If you were not vaccinated as a child and are not already immune, yes. The three-dose course is safe, effective and gives decades of protection against a virus that spreads readily through sex. PVT can test your immunity first if you are unsure.
How would I know if I have it?
Often you would not, which is the problem. Many infections cause no symptoms until the liver is already affected. A simple blood panel settles the question, and screening for hepatitis B is included in a standard PVT sexual health panel where indicated.
Can I pass hepatitis B to my partner?
Yes, if you have a current infection, it spreads readily through sex. The good news is your partner can be vaccinated, which protects them almost completely. Your doctor will guide testing and vaccination for your household.