People with Hepatitis B can pass the virus on to others through sexual intercourse or sharing needles. Infected mothers can also pass the virus on to their babies during childbirth.
In a person with hepatitis B, the liver swells, and liver damage can occur. Most people will get rid of the virus after a few months. Some people are not able to get rid of the virus, which makes the infection chronic, or life-long. This may lead to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis, liver failure, and can also lead to liver cancer.
There is a hepatitis B vaccine that prevents infection with Hepatitis B, and therefore can prevent liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B.
We give the hepatitis B vaccine at Confidential Doctor.
The vaccine is usually given through 3 injections over 6 months.
First Injection - At any given time Second Injection - At least one month after the first dose Third Injection - Six months after the first dose
The vaccine is recommended for the following groups:
Someone who has been recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
People with multiple sex partners
Intravenous drugs users
People whose jobs expose them to human blood
Travellers to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
A person whose sexual partner has chronic hepatitis B
Men who have sex with men
Common side effects when having the vaccination, like any other, include soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.
Please contact Confidential Doctor if you think you want to be vaccinated.