Hepatitis B vaccination

Hepatitis B Vaccination in Cardiff & Pontypool

Hepatitis B is a type of hepatitis, a viral infection which can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Unlike hepatitis A, the hepatitis B virus is not usually transmitted via contaminated water but rather via bodily fluids such as blood or via contaminated needles.

Many people with hepatitis B have no symptoms at all and don’t know they’re infected. Others have flu-like symptoms and yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

Hepatitis B infection can only be identified by a blood test. Many adults with hepatitis B recover fully but about 1 in 10 adults can remain infectious and spread the infection to others. About 1 in 5 of this group could develop serious liver disease later in life.

Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, all children or adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated, all adults age 19 through 59 years, and adults age 60 years or older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection. Adults who are 60 years or older without known risk factors for hepatitis B may also receive hepatitis B vaccine.

We also want to help look after the ones who do the heavy lifting when it comes to caring for others. Are you a nurse, carer, first-aider or any other kind of healthcare worker and require a hepatitis B vaccination? We have just the service for you.

Health Plus Pharmacy make the hepatitis B vaccinations convenient and accessible for all the community in Cardiff and Pontypool. Book an appointment with your local Health Plus Pharmacist to keep you safe.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a type of viral hepatitis which can cause damage to the liver. Unlike hepatitis A, the hepatitis B virus is not usually transmitted via contaminated water but rather via bodily fluids, such as blood or semen. It is often passed during sex or when using contaminated needles and medical equipment. Hepatitis B has a long incubation period of 40 – 160 days and is often symptomless.

If you are travelling to an area where hepatitis B is a common illness, you may require a hepatitis B vaccine. The same goes for healthcare workers and medical professionals, who are more likely to be exposed to the infection.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 887,000 people died as a result of hepatitis B and its complications in 2015.

Hepatitis B symptoms

Possible hepatitis B symptoms are:

• feeling or being sick,
• rash
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• headache
• flu-like symptoms

Some patients also develop a yellowing of skin and eyes, which is called jaundice. The infection can persist for a long time and become chronic hepatitis B, resulting in liver cancer, damage and failure.

Who is at risk?

The hepatitis B virus can infect infants, children, teens and adults. It is not a genetic disease – it is an infectious disease that is transmitted through blood. Although everyone may be at risk for a hepatitis B infection during their lifetime, there are groups of people who are at higher risk because of where they were born, their occupation or life choices.

The following is a guide for screening high-risk groups for hepatitis B, but the list certainly doesn’t represent all potential risk factors.

1. Health care providers and emergency responders
2. Sexually active individuals (more than 1 partner in the past six months)
3. Men who have sex with men
4. Individuals diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
5. Illicit drug users (injecting, inhaling, snorting, pill popping)
6. Sexual partners or those living in close household contact with an infected person

7. Individuals born in countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East) Individuals born to parents who have emigrated from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7)
8. Children adopted from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7)
9. Adoptive families of children from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7)
10. Anyone diagnosed with cancer prior to initiation of anticancer treatment
11. Kidney dialysis patients and those in early kidney (renal) failure
12. Inmates and staff of a correctional facility
13. Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
14. All pregnant women

hepatitis B vaccination

Immunisation requires three to four individual doses, administered by injection. The nurse will assess which course is suitable for you. Most travellers would be recommended three doses, one month apart.

Healthcare workers are advised to carry out a blood test one to four months after the course is completed, to check whether vaccination was successful. Travellers are at a lower risk of contracting hepatitis B and do not require a blood test.

Those thought to have a continued high risk of infection should consider having a booster after 5 years. Boosters may be needed after exposure to the infection. If you think you have been exposed to hepatitis B please seek medical attention urgently.

hepatitis B vaccination schedule

Three doses. The second injection is given four weeks after the first and the third injection needs to follow five months later. Accelerated course available.

Side effects of hepatitis B vaccination

Common and very common side effects include:

• temporary soreness
• redness or hardening of the skin around the injection site
• fatigue
• fever
• gastro-intestinal disturbances
• headache
• loss of appetite
• lymphangitis
• malaise
• muscle pain
• irritability