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‘Hepatitis’ means inflammation of the liver. The Hepatitis B Virus attacks the liver and causes damage.
The liver is a major organ of the body which, among other things, breaks down food and converts it to energy,
produces bile which breaks down the fat in our diet, helps to neutralise poisons in the body,
forms clotting factors which are essential to control bleeding, helps in the metabolism and storage of vitamins,
produces protective and anti-toxic substances, plays an important part in the body’s immune system, and much more…
The Hepatitis B Virus is very infectious and is carried in the blood and passed through body fluids.
How do you catch it?
Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected.
Sharing contaminated needles, spoons, pipes, bongs, notes, or any other drug using equipment.
Using non-sterile equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing.
From an infected mother to her baby, mainly during delivery.
Through contaminated blood transfusion in a country where the blood is not tested for the virus. All blood transfusion in the UK is tested.
Sharing contaminated toothbrushes, razors etc. where there is a risk of infected blood left on these items getting into your blood stream through cuts in your skin.
What to look for...
A short flu-like illness
Feeling sick and throwing up
Diarrhoea
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Itchy skin
Or no symptoms at all!
Did you know…?
You can be tested for Hepatitis B
You can be vaccinated against Hepatitis B (three jabs and a booster after a year)
The virus may not show up in your system for up to six months after being infected
The virus can live outside the body (i.e. is still infectious) for a couple of weeks
Using condoms reduces your risk of catching, or passing on, Hepatitis B
Contacts
Reading Family Planning Clinic
(also available at Connexions, Friar Street on Friday afternoons between 2 and 4 o’clock)
tel: 0118 322 7201
The Zone
(Young Person’s Clinic –19s and under)
tel: 0118 987 7202
Your own GP
Brook
(Young People Sexual Health Advisory Service)
freephone 0800 0185 023
Websites
www.ruthinking.co.uk
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www.playingsafely.co.uk
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