Price per course: £65
Hepatitis B is a liver infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The chance of getting it in the UK is low. The Hepatitis B vaccine can protect you if you are at high risk or travelling to a country where it's more common.
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About hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infected people have flu-like symptoms. To some people, Hepatitis B can last for a short period known as acute, or for a long period of six months and above also known as chronic infection. Adults are more likely to recover from Hepatitis B but children and infants may suffer from long-lasting infection a condition known as a chronic infection./
You can get infected with Hepatitis B through fluids like; semen, blood, saliva, and vaginal fluids. Pregnant women should go for Hepatitis B tests as the disease can be passed from the mother to her baby.
Hepatitis B symptoms may not be seen in children but can be seen in adults. Some of these symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), loss of appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Persistent hepatitis B infection develops in 80 to 90% of those infected in the first year of life and only 5% in those infected in their adult years. Persistent infection may lead to liver failure or liver cancer. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, however, a change in lifestyle habits can prevent the spread of the disease.
How can you get hepatitis B?
Travellers are not likely to be at risk of getting Hepatitis B ,however,their behaviours in the risk areas can put them at risk .Examples of this behaviours include:
- Engaging in unprotected sex
- Exposure to blood or blood products.Healthcare workers are at a arisk of getting Hepatitis B especially when handling blood.As a traveller you may also get Hepatitis B when you have a blood transfusion in a country that doesnt check Hepatitis B in blood.Blood transfusions in the UK are checked for hepatitis B
- Exposure to contaminated needles through drugs injection, having a tattoo or piercing with unsterilised equipment or as a result of accessing medical or dental care
- Interactions in contact areas
- Adopting children from countries with a high risk of Hepatitis B
- Staying in the area of destination for a long period
Hepatitis B for occupational health
Workers whose line of work is handling blood and bodily fluids are at a high risk of contracting Hepatitis B.Examples of this workers are,healthcare professionals ,home care givers,medical waste disposal workers,people who work in prison or polce departments,fire fighters,sewage employees and workers who clean medical environments.
If you work in a high-risk occupation, prioritize getting a Hepatitis B vaccination for you and your employees,
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Number of doses required and when to boost
| Number of doses | When to boost |
|---|---|
Three or four doses, depending on individual circumstances and the available vaccine brand.
| A booster dose is not required except for patients with renal failure and at times of significant exposure & healthcare and laboratory workers who have not responded to the primary course. |
Not sure what service option you need?
If you are unsure which vaccines you need for your holiday, why not take advantage of our travel health advice serviceThis service includes a personalised telephone consultation to determine your travel health requirements, including vaccination, altitude sickness, jet lag, period delay, travellers' diarrhoea and antimalarials.
High risk areas for hepatitis B
Some of the areas with the high risk of Hepatitis B include:
- East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
- The Amazon
- Southern parts of Eastern and Central Europe
- The Middle East
- The Indian subcontinent
- Parts of South America
The rates of infection in Western Europe and North America are low.
Employees working in high risk areas should organize with their employers to get Heptitis B vaccination.
Chronic Hepatitis B is an infection that lasts for six months and above.
When you get the hepatitis B vaccine you will notice side effects such as soreness and redness in the area you were injected, however since the vaccine is inactivated, it cannot cause infections. .
While taking your treatment, you can practice some lifestyle habits that can reduce the symptoms and prevent the infection from spreading.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Get enough rest and drink plenty of water | Avoid taking alcohol |
| Take pain relievers like paracetamol and ibuprofen – get instructions concerning the dose from your health care provider. | Use protective barriers before engaging in sex |
| Dress in loose clothes and stay in a well-ventilated room. Also, avoid hot showers that increase itchiness. | Avoid sharing razors and personal items such as toothbrushes. |
The only people who need a booster are healthcare workers and patients with renal failure. They need a booster after every 5 years..
The only people who need a booster are healthcare workers and patients with renal failure. They need a booster after every 5 years..
Symptoms of hepatitis B infection include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pain in your upper tummy
- Feeling sick
- Hives
- Jaundice
A child in the UK born on or after 1 August 2017 should get the Hepatitis B vaccine. This is given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine. Hospitals, GP surgeries, and sexual health or GUM clinics usually provide the hepatitis B vaccination free of charge for anyone at risk of infection.
GPs are not obliged to provide the hepatitis B vaccine on the NHS if you're not at risk of getting the infection.
You should test for immunity after one or two months. This is after you have completed the full Hepatitis B vaccination course. Immunity check helps in checking your antibody levels..
Clayton Pharmacy offers a private blood test service to help you test for immunity against hepatitis B.
Ways to stay protected from Hepatitis B include:
- Use protective barrier such as condoms or dam when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- Avoid sharing piercing objects such as razors and needles. Also, avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes.,
This service is available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.
Yes,next day apointmentments are available in all our branches.Our ustomer care will help you book a slot.