Introduction
Hepatitis B is the most common liver virus in the world.1 While the virus can cause symptoms, some people may not get any symptoms and may not know they have the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Acute hepatitis B
Acute hepatitis B is when the virus makes you sick for a short time (less than six months). Around 50% of people in Australia who contract hepatitis B may experience some of signs of acute illness.2 This means that you may have symptoms for a while but when your immune system clears the virus you get better.
Chronic hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is when the virus stays in your body for longer than six months. Some people may even live with hepatitis B for their whole life. The younger you are when you get hepatitis B, the more likely you’ll develop chronic hepatitis B. Babies and children under six are most at risk of developing chronic hepatitis B. In Australia, it’s estimated that only 72.5% of people with chronic hepatitis B are aware they have the virus.3
Hepatitis B is a notifiable disease in Australia. This means that health authorities are notified if you have the virus. However, this can be tricky if you have no symptoms and are unaware you have the virus. Your hepatitis B status will not be shared with anyone else.
Common FAQs
How common is hepatitis B in Australia?
In 2021, there were around 200,385 people with chronic hepatitis B in Australia. This represents around 0.8% of the population.3 Around two-thirds of these people come from countries with a high incidence of hepatitis B (e.g. South East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Pacific Islands). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are also at increased risk of having chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B can also be more common in people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men.
How do you get hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus is known as a blood-borne virus. That means it’s passed from person to person through contact with blood (including menstrual blood) or bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal fluids. For transmission to occur the virus must enter the bloodstream of someone without the virus. In Australia, hepatitis B in adults is most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex and unsterile injecting of drugs.
Hepatitis B can also be spread from mother to baby during birth. However, this is uncommon in Australia due to maternal hepatitis B screening during pregnancy, and babies receiving a hepatitis B vaccination soon after birth. Around 90% of babies who are exposed to hepatitis B at birth go on to develop chronic hepatitis B.4
How serious is the hepatitis B virus?
Most people will recover from an acute case of hepatitis B. Symptoms of acute hepatitis B may include flu-like symptoms, muscle aches and pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes). People with acute hepatitis B usually don’t develop any lifelong problems related to the virus.
Left unmanaged chronic hepatitis B may cause damage to the liver. This can lead to serious liver disease. Around 25% of people with unmanaged CHB develop liver failure or liver cancer.4
Can hepatitis B be treated?
Yes, but not everyone with hepatitis B will need treatment.
Treatment is prescribed for people with chronic hepatitis B who meet particular clinical criteria. Treatment involves taking one tablet every day potentially for the rest of the person’s life. Hepatitis B treatment aims to stop the virus reproducing and reduce the risk of serious liver disease. Treatment manages the condition rather than cure the illness.
Doctors who treat hepatitis B are usually gastroenterology specialists (doctors who treat disorders of the digestive system) or infectious diseases specialists (doctors who are experienced in diagnosing, treating and preventing infectious diseases) or a General Practitioner who has undertaken additional training to prescribe hepatitis B medications. You need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) to see a specialist for your hepatitis B.
Can hepatitis B be prevented?
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination.
Practicing safer sex and being blood-aware are also important. Being blood aware means assuming that all blood and bodily fluids potentially contain viruses, including hepatitis B. Taking steps to avoid other people’s blood from coming into contact with yours can help reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
