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  1. FAQs

Hepatitis B FAQs

Below is a series of commonly asked questions about hepatitis B. If you do not see the question you have in mind you can find more information in the Hepatitis B section of the website or you can call 1800 437 222 to speak to your local hepatitis organisation.

Can chronic hepatitis B be cured?

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No, currently there are no treatments that can cure chronic hepatitis B. However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, there are very good treatments that help control and reduce the harmful effects of the virus. Regular liver monitoring and treatment when needed greatly reduce your chances of getting serious liver disease (like liver cancer).

Although a cure has not been found yet - scientists have not given up hope. Research Institutes continue their research into new hepatitis B treatments and hopefully a cure.

Find out more about hepatitis B treatment

Find out more about hepatitis B monitoring


References:

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.


Updated 15 April 2020

Published: 22nd November, 2019

Updated: 15th April, 2020

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Can having diabetes affect my hepatitis B?

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Having both hepatitis B and diabetes can increase your chances of developing liver cancer. Therefore, for people with hepatitis B, preventing or managing diabetes is particularly important. If you have hepatitis B and diabetes, you need to manage both conditions carefully in consultation with your doctor.

Remember, a healthy lifestyle is important for both hepatitis B and diabetes so it is important to eat healthy, exercise and avoid alcohol and tobacco.


References:

Hepatitis B Foundation. (2018, March 21). Hepatitis B Precautions for People Living with Diabetes.


Updated 29 November 2019

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 2nd December, 2019

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Can I get hepatitis B from sharing food or eating utensils?

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No. Hepatitis B is not spread through touching or saliva. You can only get hepatitis B from infected blood or specific body fluids.  

Most people contract hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood. You can also get hepatitis B if you have sex without a condom or have unsafe medical procedures.

Learn more about hepatitis B


References

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.

Haggan, M. (2015, 07 28). The biggest myths about hepatitis B uncovered. Retrieved from AJP.


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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Can I get hepatitis B through hugging or kissing?

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No. Hepatitis B is not spread through touching or saliva. You can only get hepatitis B from infected blood or specific body fluids.  

Most people contract hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood. You can also get hepatitis B if you have sex without a condom or have unsafe medical procedures.

Learn more about hepatitis B


References

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.

Haggan, M. (2015, 07 28). The biggest myths about hepatitis B uncovered. Retrieved from AJP.


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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Can you get hepatitis B through sex?

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Yes. Although most people get hepatitis B at birth, it can be transmitted in other ways including sex. Hepatitis B contained in blood, semen or other fluids can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.

Condoms are an effective way to protect against hepatitis B, but the best way to prevent hepatitis B infection is to get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is not spread through normal hugging, kissing or sharing meals, showers or toilets with someone who has hepatitis B.

Find out more about hepatitis B and relationships

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccination


References

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. When Someone Close To You Has Chronic Hepatitis B.


Updated: 10 August 2020

Published: 10th August, 2020

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Do I need to tell anyone if I have hepatitis B?

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Normally, it is your choice whether or not to tell people if you have hepatitis B. This includes doctors, dentists, and tattoo and piercing parlours. These places are required to have infection control measures in place for all patients or clients so they should not need to make any changes.

You should consider telling your partner, family and people you live with, so they can get tested for hepatitis B. If they don’t have it, they can get vaccinated to be protected against hepatitis B..

There are a few cases where you are required by law to disclose that you have hepatitis B. These are:

  • before donating blood at the blood bank, as you cannot donate blood if you have hep B. If you have previously had acute hepatitis B, but you did not develop chronic hepatitis B, you need to wait at least 12 months after clearing it and let the blood bank know.
  • when applying for life insurance policies and other types of insurance where pre-existing health conditions may impact the insurance company’s decision
  • members of the Australian Defence Force, including Navy, Army and Air Forces
  • health care workers who perform exposure prone procedures, meaning they could come into contact with sharp instruments or tissues (e.g. spicules of bone or teeth) inside a person’s body. Most health care workers do not perform EPPs. For more information, you can read the guidelines on the Department of Health website.
  • when applying for a visa to live in Australia. You should answer all questions in visa application forms honestly. There are some cases where you may have to have a hep B test if you are applying to live in Australia.

If you wish to donate organs or sperm, you will be tested for hepatitis B. You may still be able to donate, though this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Find out more about your rights and responsibilities living with hepatitis B


References

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service. (n.d.). I had hepatitis - can I donate?

Department of Health. (2018, December). Australian National Guidelines for the Management of Healthcare Workers Living with Blood Borne Viruses and Healthcare Workers who Perform Exposure Prone Procedures at Risk of Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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How can I check if I’m immune to hepatitis B?

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If you don’t know whether or not you are immune, your doctor can do a blood test to check.

Most babies born after 1 May 2000 should have been given the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and several follow-up doses. Children who were at school after this date may have been given the vaccine through a school immunisation program.

Find out more about vaccination against hepatitis B


References

SA Health. (2019, July 2). Hepatitis B vaccine frequently asked questions.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

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I have hepatitis B but I feel fine. Do I really need to get regular liver checks?

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Yes. Even if you feel fine, hepatitis B can still be damaging your liver. If you wait until you feel sick, the virus may already have caused a lot of harm, which could be irreversible. The only way to know is to have regular liver checks.

If the hepatitis B virus starts causing damage to your liver, there is treatment you can take to reduce the effects of the virus.

Find out more about liver health checks

Find out more about the symptoms of hepatitis B


References

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.


Updated 29 November 2019

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 2nd December, 2019

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I’m pregnant and have hep B – can my baby get it?

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Yes, the most common way people get hepatitis B is during childbirth. This can happen in a vaginal or caesarean delivery, but there are ways to help prevent transmission to your baby.

All babies born in Australia should get an injection of hepatitis B vaccine soon after they are born (the birth dose). If you are pregnant and have hepatitis B, your baby should get an extra injection within 12 hours of being born of hepatitis B immunoglobulin. The hepatitis B immunoglobulin injection contains antibodies that help the baby’s immune system to fight the virus. These injections, together with the follow up vaccine injections, are very effective at protecting the baby against hepatitis B.

Some women can also benefit from antiviral treatment during pregnancy to reduce the risk of passing the virus on to their baby, which your doctor can advise you about. The treatment is very safe to take during pregnancy, and if you get pregnant while you are taking treatment you should continue your medication.

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccination

Find out more about treatment for hepatitis B


References

Department of Health. (2018, June 4). Infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B surface antigen–positive are recommended to receive both hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG.

ASHM. (2018). Managing hepatitis B virus in pregnancy and children. Retrieved from B Positive: Hepatitis B for Primary Care


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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I’ve had a blood test, have I been tested for hepatitis B?

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Testing for hepatitis B is not part of normal blood tests—you generally have to ask your doctor.

There are two exceptions to this:

  • Most pregnant women are tested for hepatitis B as part of normal screening during pregnancy.1
  • If you donate blood to the blood bank, it will be tested, and you will be notified if you have been exposed to hepatitis B.2

Read our article No, you’re not being tested for hepatitis as part of a routine blood test


References

  1. (2018, June). Blood tests during pregnancy. Retrieved from Pregnancy, birth & baby.
  2. Australian Red Cross. (n.d.) Blood testing and safety. Retrieved from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Updated 18 June 2020

Published: 18th June, 2019

Updated: 24th June, 2020

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If I am exposed to hepatitis B, how likely is it that it will become chronic?

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How hepatitis B affects each person is very complex, but in general, young children are much more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B once exposed.

This table shows what is likely to happen, depending on how old you are when you are exposed to hepatitis B.

Age exposed to hepatitis B

Acute hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B

Infants (under 1 years old)

Most will not get any acute hepatitis B symptoms

90% will get chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B

Young children (aged 1 to 6 years old)

Most will not get any acute hepatitis B symptoms

30% will get chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B

Adults or older children (over 6 years old)

Many will get acute hepatitis B symptoms

Less than 5% will get chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccination


References

WHO. (2018, July 18). Hepatitis B. Retrieved from World Health Organization.


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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If I have hepatitis B, should I get a hepatitis A vaccine?

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Yes. Getting the hepatitis A vaccine is safe for people who have hepatitis B. In fact, it is recommended that you get the hepatitis A vaccine to protect your liver from other infections that could cause it harm.

Find out more about hepatitis A


References

Department of Health. (2018, August 1). Hepatitis A immunisation service.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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If I have hepatitis B, should my family get tested?

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Yes. While it is your choice who you tell that you have hepatitis B, it is recommended that your partner, family and people you live with get tested for hepatitis B.

If people in your family do not have hepatitis B and are not immune to the virus, they can get a vaccination to make sure they cannot get it in future.

For people living with hepatitis B, it is important to get regular liver checks so you can start treatment if the virus starts to damage your liver.

Find out more about testing for hepatitis B

Find out more about vaccination against hepatitis B

Find out more about liver checks


References

Department of Health. (2018, August 1). Hepatitis B immunisation service. Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

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Is it safe to breastfeed if I have hepatitis B?

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Yes, unless your nipples are cracked or bleeding.  

If a woman’s nipples are cracked or bleeding, it is recommended the woman pauses breastfeeding and consults a midwife until the nipples recover. Babies whose mothers have hepatitis B should also get a birth dose injection and vaccines to protect them against hepatitis B.

Find out more about vaccination against hepatitis B


References

WHO. (1996, November 22). Hepatitis B and breastfeeding.

Chen, X., Chen, J., Wen, J., Xu, C., Zhang, S., Zhou, Y.-H., & Hu, Y. (2013). Breastfeeding Is Not a Risk Factor for Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus. PLoS One.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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Is it safe to take herbal medicines or traditional Chinese medicines if I have hep B?

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It depends on the medicine, but you should always talk to your doctor first as some of these medicines can harm your liver. There is no evidence that alternative medicines (including herbal medicines and Traditional Chinese Medicine) can cure or treat hepatitis B, despite what you might see on the Internet. 

If you are taking antiviral treatment for hepatitis B, some herbal medicines can interact with the antiviral medicines, which can be dangerous.

Remember that alternative medicines are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. If you have hepatitis B it is important to eat healthy, exercise and avoid alcohol and tobacco.

Find out more about herbal medicines and hepatitis B


References:

hep. (2019, March 4). Natural Remedies and Hepatitis B. Retrieved from hepmag.


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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What happens if I don’t complete the full course of vaccine injections, do I need to start again from the beginning?

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No, you should continue from your last dose. You can have a blood test four weeks after the last dose of the vaccine to make sure you are immune.

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccinations


References

Hepatitis B Foundation. (n.d.). Vaccination. Retrieved from Hepatitis B Foundation.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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What happens if I don’t get treatment for hepatitis B?

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Without treatment you may be at greater risk of developing serious liver disease or liver cancer. One in four people with chronic hepatitis B will die as a result of the condition. However, because the virus goes through different phases, it is not always damaging your liver. In some people the hepatitis B virus is there but it is not causing any damage - it is sleeping. It can stay sleeping for a long time, but it can also wake up at any time and start causing damage to your liver.

This is why not everyone with hepatitis B needs treatment. But, if the virus wakes up and starts damaging your liver, you may need to start treatment. Generally, as people living with hepatitis B age, the likelihood of liver damage and need for antiviral treatment increases.

It’s very important to get regular liver check-ups (every six months) to determine if and when you need treatment.

Find out more about hepatitis B treatment

Find out more about liver checks for hepatitis B


References:

ASHM. (2014). B Positive: All you wanted to know about hepatitis B. Darlinghurst, NSW: ASHM.

Cancer Council Victoria. (n.d.). Hepatitis and liver cancer. Retrieved from Cancer Council Victoria.


Updated 11 December 2020

Published: 22nd November, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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What is the difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

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Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are different viruses that both damage your liver. They are both transmitted through blood, but there are many differences in how most people contract hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as the treatment available.

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood or specific body fluids. Most people contract hepatitis B at birth or in early childhood. You can also get hepatitis B if you have sex without a condom or have unsafe medical procedures. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, but there is no cure. There is effective treatment that can reduce damage to your liver if you need it.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood. Most people in Australia contract hepatitis C through injecting drugs, but you can also get it through amateur tattoos, unsafe medical procedures and vaccination programs, or anal sex without a condom. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there is a safe and effective cure.

Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver disease and liver cancer.

Find out more about hepatitis B

Find out more about hepatitis C


References

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis B. Retrieved from All Good.

ASHM. (2019). What is hepatitis C. Retrieved from All Good.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 20th December, 2019

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Where can I get vaccinated for hepatitis B?

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You can get the hepatitis B vaccine from your local doctor.

Infants will usually get the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at the hospital before they are discharged.

You may also be able to get hepatitis B vaccines from:

  • your local council or community health clinics
  • Aboriginal medical services
  • school-based immunisation programs
  • travel medical clinics
  • sexual health clinics
  • prison health centres
  • aged care facilities.

You should check with these providers whether they are able to provide the hepatitis B vaccine and how much it will cost. Some people, including infants and children, can get the hepatitis B vaccine for free.

Remember, the vaccine involves up to three injections over several appointments to ensure immunity against hepatitis B is achieved.

Find out more vaccination against hepatitis B


References

Department of Health. (2018, July 2). Where can I get immunised.


Updated 2 December 2019

Published: 2nd December, 2019

Updated: 11th December, 2020

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