Hepatitis B: what is it, how dangerous is it, how do you get it, and should you vaccinate?

What is hepatitis B?

• Hepatitis B is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.
• The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from person to person through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids containing blood.
• Some possible routes of transmission include: blood transfusions, unprotected sexual contact, unsterile needles, from mother to child, etc. You also run a risk when getting tattoos, piercings, or going to the hairdresser.

Where does hepatitis B occur?

• Hepatitis B occurs worldwide. Risk areas include: South and Central Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Canada, and Central America.
• The risk is particularly high in places where there is frequent contact with bodily fluids, such as hospitals, in bed, and in tattoo shop.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

• Depending on the body's response to the virus and the degree of liver damage, various symptoms occur. Common complaints include fatigue, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, nausea, decreased appetite, discoloration of urine and stool, and fever.
• Some people experience a spontaneous resolution of the infection without serious symptoms.
• In five to ten percent of people, a hepatitis B infection becomes chronic. This can happen (almost) completely unnoticed; you don't have to go through the acute phase first.
• Ultimately, chronic hepatitis infection can lead to liver dysfunction and liver cancer.

Can hepatitis B be treated?

• An acute hepatitis B infection usually resolves on its own.
• A healthy lifestyle and a good diet usually contribute to a rapid recovery.
• In rare cases, antiviral drugs are used for an acute infection.
• A chronic infection is almost always treated with medication. The medication used varies from case to case. However, almost all medications often require long-term, if not lifelong, use.
• Treatment is usually aimed at combating the virus, thereby eliminating it or at least drastically weakening it.

Are there vaccinations against hepatitis B?

• There is a suitable vaccine against hepatitis B.
• In several countries, certain professional groups are also vaccinated structurally. This primarily concerns people who are required to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, for example, as part of their education or work. Think, for example, of students or healthcare workers. But also people working for the police, fire department, laboratory technicians, etc.
• Travelers are at certain risk for hepatitis B. Vaccination may not be necessary for short trips, but vaccination is recommended for stays longer than three months.
• If a hepatitis B vaccination seems important to you, you can choose between two different vaccination programs. If you have your vaccinations well in advance and you are not leaving for a few months, you can opt for the lifelong vaccination. In that case, you will receive three injections at intervals of one and five months. A simple calculation shows that it is best to start the hepatitis B vaccinations seven months before departure. If you're leaving soon, you can choose the three-week program. You'll receive three injections over three weeks. However, the protection offered in this case is less than with the long-term program.

What else can you do to prevent hepatitis B abroad?

• Because hepatitis B is transmitted through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, it's important to be careful with things like sexual contact and working in health care.
• Another form of transmission is through unsterile needles. So be careful with vaccinations abroad, as well as with getting tattoos or piercings during your trip.