Travel Clinic
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It occurs worldwide with highest rates reported in parts of East Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Higher rates of infection are also found in the Amazon, southern parts of Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Risk for travellers is low although certain behaviours or activities put individuals at higher risk, particularly when these occur in areas where hepatitis B is more common. These behaviours and activities include:
- unprotected sex
- exposure to blood or blood products through occupation, such as healthcare work
- exposure to contaminated needles through injecting drug use, or as a result of accessing medical or dental
- participation in contact sports
- adoption of children from risk countries
- long stay travel
Symptoms
In the majority of cases of hepatitis B symptoms do not occur. Symptoms more commonly occur in adults than children and may include: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), loss of appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Persistent infection may lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
Prevention
All sexual partners, family and close household members living with a chronically infected person should be tested and vaccinated. It is important to remember that hepatitis B is not spread casually! It is not spread by coughing, sneezing, hugging, cooking and sharing food. It is spread through direct contact with infected blood and bodily fluids.
Product Information
Product
Ages
Doses
Per Dose
Course
Product
Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Combined
Ages
16 - 85
Doses
3 to 4
Per Dose
£80
Course
Ask in store
Product
Hepatitis B
Ages
2 - 16
Doses
3 to 4 (paed)
Per Dose
£50
Course
Depends on Schedule
Product
Hepatitis B
Ages
16 - 85
Doses
3 to 4
Per Dose
£50
Course
Depends on Schedule
Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Combined
*Vaccines work best if given time to become active. This vaccine can be given up to the day before travel and will provide some cover.
**accelerated schedule. Full protection not given until final dose at 1 year. Will give adequate protection if leaving sooner.
Ages
Doses
Schedule
Booster required at
Time before travel
Ages
16 - 85
Doses
3 to 4
Schedule
Up to day before*
Booster required at
See specialist pharmacist
Time before travel
Up to day before*
Hepatitis B
*Vaccines work best if given time to become active. This vaccine can be given up to the day before travel and will provide some cover.
** accelerated schedule shown. See Pharmacist for 16-18 years old accelerated schedule.
Ages
Doses
Schedule
Booster required at
Time before travel
Ages
2 - 16
Doses
3 to 4 (paed)
Schedule
0, 1, 2 months and at 1 year**
Booster required at
5 years
Time before travel
Up to day before*
Ages
16 - 85
Doses
3 to 4
Schedule
0, 7, 21 days and at 1 year**
Booster required at
5 years
Time before travel
Up to day before*
Contact Us
Call 01225 432230 for more information and to book an appointment.
(Please note we are unable to answer clinical or destination-specific questions on the Phone. Any questions about vaccine need/recommendations etc will be answered in the consultation by our Pharmacists.)