What is it?
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B virus causes an acute liver infection. It is possible that no symptoms occur at all after infection, and if they do appear, they may not do so until 2 to 6 months later. In the meantime, however, you are already contagious to others. The infection can become chronic. This too need not be noticeable, while here again you are contagious to others. A chronic hepatitis B infection carries an increased risk of scarring of the liver and liver cancer later in life. The hepatitis B virus is present in blood, semen, pre-ejaculate and vaginal fluid. The disease occurs worldwide, but mainly in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. In exceptional cases hepatitis B can be life-threatening in the acute phase. (With a chronic infection, it can eventually lead to death from liver cancer.)
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B may include:
- tiredness
- reduced appetite
- muscle and joint pain
- fever
- yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
- dark, cola-coloured urine
- pale stools
- itching
How do you catch it?
The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through unsafe sexual contact, blood contact and blood products. This also includes having tattoos and piercings done and being shaved at the barber's with a used blade. The disease can also be passed from mother to child at birth. A small amount of infected blood in a small wound is enough to cause an infection. The virus cannot be transmitted through normal social contact.
How do you prevent it?
You can be vaccinated to prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B vaccination consists of three doses. You should receive the first vaccination at least seven months before your departure. After the course of three vaccinations you are protected for at least 15 years. In 2011, hepatitis B vaccination was added to the Dutch National Immunisation Programme.
In addition, it is highly advisable to observe the following measures during your trip:
- Use condoms during sexual contact. Only use condoms bought in the Netherlands.
- Do not have tattoos or piercings done.
- Avoid visits to the dentist; go only in the most urgent emergencies.
- Avoid injections, drips and blood transfusions.
- Avoid hospitals; go only in the most urgent emergencies.
- Take care when taking part in traffic and in high-risk activities.
- Avoid the need for malaria treatment by taking antimalarial medication.
In addition to the conditions at your destination, your personal circumstances and travel plans are decisive factors in the preparations you may want or need to make before you travel. You can come to us for expert travel-health advice and the above-mentioned vaccination. We keep the vaccine in stock.
The above description is only a general, brief and simple account and is intended purely for information. No rights can be derived from it. Personal advice is given exclusively during a consultation with a specially trained Certified Travel Medicine Doctor or Travel Medicine Assistant.