Hepatitis B Test London

Hepatitis B is a liver infection by the hepatitis B virus. It can be severe and self-resolving or chronic, thus causing liver cancer and cirrhosis. HBV is a disease for a short period of time that does not cause permanent damage in most adults. However, 2 to 6 percent of adults infected with it will develop a chronic infection that may cause liver cancer. Nearly, 90 percent of infants with this virus will suffer from a chronic infection.

Who should be screened for the hepatitis B virus?

• People who are born in areas where HBV is endemic.
• Men who have had sexual intercourse with another man.
• Intravenous drug users.
• Patients who need to undergo dialysis.
• HIV-infected people.
• Women who are pregnant.
• Family members and sex partners of HBV-infected people even though they had sex only once.
• People who had more than one sex partner within six months.
• People who have to depend on medicines will have weakened immune system.

What are the causes for hepatitis B?

• Body infection with the hepatitis B virus.
• Present in the blood and bodily fluids.
• Transmitted through blood, semen and vaginal fluids.
• Pass from the mother to newborn at the time of delivery.
• Sharing the same needle with an infected person.
• Enjoying unprotected sex with your partner.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

How can hepatitis B be diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose hepatitis B by performing blood tests. The screening for hepatitis B may be recommended for the individuals who:

• Have been in close contact with someone suffering from hepatitis B.
• Are men and had sex with another man.
• Have visited a country where most people are affected with hepatitis B.
• Have HIV.
• Use IV drugs.
• Have been in jail.
• Are pregnant.
• Receive kidney dialysis.

How can you prevent hepatitis B?

The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent the infection. These groups should receive the hepatitis B vaccine:

• All infants during birth.
• Any children and adolescents who had not been vaccinated at the time of birth.
• Adults who are treated for sexually transmitted infections.
• People who work with different blood samples.
• HIV-positive individuals.
• Men who have enjoyed sex with another man.
• People having more than one sexual partner.
• Injection drug users.
• Family members of those infected with hepatitis B.
• Individuals who are suffering from chronic diseases.
• People traveling to areas where there are higher rates of hepatitis B.

In other words, everyone should receive a hepatitis B vaccine as it is safe and inexpensive.