These are some common questions that we get asked in travel health consultations.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that is spread by blood and infects and damages the liver. It is the most common blood borne virus worldwide and is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer. The virus is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV. [1]

How can I catch Hepatitis B?

The virus is also present in other body fluids e.g. saliva, vaginal fluid and semen. The virus can get in through open wounds ,cuts, scratches and contaminated needles. The virus can survive outside the body for at least a week so surfaces contaminated with dried blood pose infection risk. [2]

Injecting drugs and sharing needles puts people at high risk of becoming infected, however, travel also puts people at risk if they are not vaccinated.

More than 12% of cases in the UK are thought to result from people travelling to and working in countries where there is increased risk of hepatitis b infection.  [3]

Travellers most at risk are those who suffer accidents that result in requiring medical treatments abroad where unsterile or re used equipment may be used. About 8% of travellers are sick enough to require medical treatment in developing countries.  [4]

Should I get a Hepatitis B Vaccine before travel?

The UK National Vaccination Programme does not vaccinate against Hepatitis B routinely, therefore, Hepatitis B vaccination should be considered for those travelling to developing countries .Those travellers at particular risk are those who are volunteering e.g. aid workers and those assisting with construction e.g. helping building schools. Travellers participating in school projects abroad will mix with potentially infected children in schools and may be accidently exposed to the virus e.g.  through contact sports injuries or maybe volunteering in orphanages with sick children .Other travellers that are at risk are those whose work people work abroad puts them at risk e.g. body guards/police/ and travellers who adopt risky behaviours such as unprotected sex.

Travellers with any chronic diseases are potentially going to need medical attention whilst travelling so should consider vaccination.

Hepatitis b vaccination is a course of 3 injections >There are two schedules that may be offered according to time left to the traveller before departure.

Schedule 1: Day 0 1st vaccine Day 7 2nd vaccine Day 21 3^rd vaccine

(This schedule requires a 4^th vaccine 1 year later)

Day 0 1^st vaccine 4 weeks later 2^nd vaccine 5 months later 3^rd vaccine

(This schedule requires a 4^th vaccine 5 years later)

Cost – £40 per dose.

To book a Hepatitis B vaccine please call 01273 749100 or book ONLINE

 

Hepatitis B vaccine does not protect you against other blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C. There are no vaccines available to prevent these infections. We recommend that you carry your own sterile needle kit for use in a medical emergency. These can be purchased in clinic or in our shop.

 

 

 

References

1. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx

2. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx

4. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx

4.  http://www.travmed.com/healthguide/ch1.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C are found worldwide, however, some countries have higher levels of infection. Blood borne infections are spread through  any activity causing contact with blood or body fluids. These include:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Medical treatment with contaminated equipment
• Activities that pierce the skin such as tattoos, acupuncture or  body piercings.
• Contact sports such as rugby or boxing. This increase risk of contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.
• Occupational exposure- health care workers are particularly at risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B(HBV) is a virus that can damage your liver and cause serious health problems.  This potentially fatal virus is spread the same way as HIV but it is 100 times more infectious. 350 million people are believed to be infected worldwide. .[1].   Thankfully, hepatitis b can be prevented through vaccination. If you are travelling to a high risk country you should consider a course of hepatitis b vaccine.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is similar to HBV in that it can be fatal and cause liver damage or serious health problems. HVC is found worldwide but is more common in Africa, Asia and South America. 3% of the world population are believed to be infected. .[2].   There is no vaccine to protect against HCV.

HIV

HIV infection occurs anywhere in the world. At the end of 2007 it was estimated that 33.2   million  persons were living with HIV infection  worldwide.[3].   Prevalence is highest in  Africa, South and South East Asia, and   Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2001 and 2005,  41% of new diagnosis in UK citizens were aquired abroad. Highest risk countries were in Africa and Thailand.

Advice for Travellers

• Practice safe sex – always use a condom and buy an adequate supply for your trip. Make sure condoms carry the
• Avoid tattoos or body piercings in foreign countries
• Carry a sterile medical kit with needles and syringes in if you are travelling to high risk areas
• Have a course of hepatitis b vaccine before your trip
• Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation – they can arrange screened blood worldwide for use in an emergency
• Find out your blood group before travel

To book a hepatitis b vaccine or purchase a sterile medical kit call 01273 749100 or book online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to a recent report on Promed, the Department of Health in Australia is warning Western Australians against having tattoo’s abroad. This is in response to a confirmed case of HIV in an Australian where evidence of infection points to a recent tattoo received in Bali, Indonesia.

Having tattoo’s, body piercing and acupuncture abroad is not advised. While tattooists in the UK and Australia must comply with a code of practice and strict regulations, this is not always so in tattoo parlours overseas. Equipment used can be contaminated with blood and can pose a risk of contracting blood- borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. These blood – borne infections are transmitted through blood to blood contact or sexual activity. Hepatitis B can be prevented by having a course of vaccinations; however HIV and Hepatitis C are not vaccine preventable.

Advice for Travellers

• Do not have body piercings, tattoo’s or acupuncture abroad.
• If possible avoid having medical or dental treatment abroad,
• Never have unprotected sex, Always practice safe sex. Make sure you take an adequate supply of condoms for your trip.
• If you have to buy condoms abroad, make sure they are in date and carry a recognised quality mark.
• Consider taking a Sterile Medical Kit with you if you are travelling to areas where medical facilities may be poor.
• Do not take drugs. Never share drug equipment.
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes or nail scissors.
• Consider having a course of Hepatitis B vaccine before you travel, especially if you are planning a long stay trip or are going to remote locations.
• Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation. The Blood Care Foundation is a charitable, not for profit organisation, The Foundation operates a Blood Care Programme, which is designed to provide screened blood, in an emergency, to its members in any part of the world.