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Hepatitis B


Open all pages about Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus. It is mostly spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth.

In the UK, children are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B. As an adult, you only need to get vaccinated if you're at high risk.

Symptoms of hepatitis B include a high temperature, tiredness, pain in your tummy, patches of raised skin, and feeling or being sick.

Hepatitis B often gets better in a few months without any treatment. Some people may need medicines to help ease the symptoms.

You can ease the symptoms of hepatitis B by resting, staying hydrated, taking painkillers like ibuprofen, and avoiding drinking alcohol.

Most people who get hepatitis B do not have any lasting problems. But long-lasting (chronic) hepatitis B can cause liver damage if left untreated.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. It's not common in the UK, but is common in Asia and Africa.

Page last reviewed: 30/06/2022
Next review due: 30/06/2025