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Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Condoms are the ONLY form of contraceptive that protects against sexual infections.
This is a serious virus that can cause liver disease and death in a small number of cases. It is spread by sex, anal sex, oral sex, kissing and from a woman to her baby. It can also spread via haring dirty needles and syringes during intravenous (IV) drug misuse, toothbrushes, razors, contaminated blood transfusions and piercing needles.
Intravenous drug abuse is a particularly high risk activity because the virus can be transmitted through infected needles, syringes, bowls or containers used to dissolve drugs and other injection.
There is no cure for HBV but it's the only STI that can be prevented with a vaccination. It is one of the blood born viruses, which can be passed on through unprotected sex. Blood born viruses are viruses found in blood and bodily fluids.
What are the symptoms?
- There might not be any symptoms in early phases of the illness. If there are they appear within 4 weeks of infection.
- You might feel severely tired or suffer from a headache, fever or hives.
- You might have a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting or tenderness in the stomach area.
- As the illness progresses you suffer from stomach pain, dark pee and yellowing in the skin and white of the eye.
What treatment can you get?
Visit your doctor to have HBV diagnosed. There is no medical treatment. You should rest, exercise and avoid alcohol and smoking. Usually the infection clears up within 4 to 8 weeks.
How can you prevent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?
The best protection from HBV is with a series of vaccinations from your doctor. Condoms offer some protection.
Intravenous drug abuse is a particularly high risk activity because the virus can be transmitted through infected needles, syringes, bowls or containers used to dissolve drugs and other injection.
Hepatitis C is another blood borne virus that can be passed on through IV drug use.
