Public Health Agency of Canada
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Hepatitis B
August 2009
Hepatitis B
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus which infects the liver. It is highly contagious and is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases affecting travellers.
Cause
Hepatitis B virus.
Risk to Travellers
The risk depends on the destination, duration, type of travel and whether travellers have direct contact with blood or some body fluids.
The risk increases with certain activities such as unprotected sex, sharing needles, tattooing and acupuncture.
Health care workers and anyone who receives medical or dental care with unsterile equipment in a country where hepatitis B is endemic are also at risk.
Severity
Many people who are infected with hepatitis B have either no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
Most adults completely recover from the infection.
Some people develop chronic Hepatitis B and remain contagious for the rest of their lives. Chronic infection may lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and/or liver cancer.
Prevention
Reduce your risk.
Get vaccinated if you are at risk and you have not been previously immunized or if you do not have natural immunity against this virus.
Treatment
Antiviral drugs can be used to treat some cases of Hepatitis B infection.
Symptoms
- Can take two to six months to appear.
- Usually include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
- About 30% of infected people do not have any symptoms.
- Chronic hepatitis B infection can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
Transmission
- Hepatitis B is spread through blood and some body fluids (including semen and vaginal secretions) from an infected person. It can be spread by:
- blood transfusions in countries with sub-optimal blood donor screening programs;
- sexual contact with an infected person;
- an infected mother to her newborn infant at birth; and
- objects contaminated with infected blood or body fluids such as:
- non-sterile medical or dental equipment
- contaminated tools used for tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture or injecting drugs
- toothbrushes or razors
Where is Hepatitis B is a concern?
Hepatitis B occurs worldwide.
Countries/regions experiencing higher numbers of chronic carriers in the general population include Eastern Europe, South and Central America, Africa, Central and South East Asia, and the Far and Middle East.
A map of countries and areas of risk
for Hepatitis B is available on the World Health Organization website.
Related Travel Health Notices
None
Recommendations for Travellers
1. Reduce your risk:
- Avoid dental, medical or cosmetic procedures that penetrate the skin unless you are certain that needles / equipment are sterile (i.e.: unsafe transfusions, acupuncture, piercing and tattooing).
- Always practice safe sex (use condoms).
- Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors.
- Never share needles or syringes.
2. Get vaccinated if you are at risk but have not been previously immunized or have natural immunity against this virus. Those at risk include:
- Travellers who visit or stay in endemic areas for an extended period of time.
- Travellers who engage in risk activities such as unprotected sex, sharing needles / syringes / other drug use equipment, tattooing and acupuncture.
- Travellers who work in a health care setting.
It is not always possible to protect yourself against accidents and the possibility that you may need urgent health care (medical or dental) while travelling. In developing countries, this may increase your risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B and other blood borne infections if you require urgent medical or dental care.
Don't Forget …
- Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
- What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
- What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
- Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.
Other Related Information
- The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) - Statement on Hepatitis Vaccines for Travellers
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Hepatitis B Fact Sheet
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases / Hepatitis B
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Immunizations Reccommended for Travel Outside of Canada
- Health Canada - It's Your Health - Hepatitis B
- World Health Organization - Fact Sheet - Hepatitis B
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