Viral Hepatitis Service

Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It’s usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol.

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is spread in an infected person’s blood. The virus can also be spread through unprotected sex and injecting drug use. It is a common infection worldwide and can be spread from mother to baby (vertical transmission).

Hepatitis B is uncommon in the UK. Most cases affect people who became infected while growing up in part of the world where the infection is more common, such as southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Most adults infected with hepatitis B can fight off the virus and fully recover from the infection within a few months.

But most people infected as children develop a long-term infection. This is known as chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to liver damage.

Antiviral medication can treat hepatitis B infection. Treatment is indicated in some patients, whilst other patients can be monitored off treatment.

Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for people in the following high-risk groups:

• healthcare workers
• people who inject drugs
• men who have sex with men
• children born to mothers with hepatitis B
• people travelling to parts of the world where the infection is more common

In 2017 the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the routine immunisation programme so all children can benefit from protection from this virus.

Some patients with hepatitis B may also be co-infected with hepatitis Delta (hepatitis D).

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is a common viral hepatitis in the UK. Hepatitis C is a blood born virus that spreads from one person’s blood to another person’s blood.

In the UK, hepatitis C can spread through:

• sharing injection paraphernalia and equipment to snort drugs
• contaminated blood prior to 1991
• sharing contaminated personal items such as razors and toothbrushes
• tattoos and piercing carried out by unsterile practice
• sexual activity between men who have sex with men (MSMs)
• mother to baby (vertical transmission)
• procedures undertaken in countries of high incidence of hepatitis C

Previously people had been infected by blood products, although these are now rigorously tested in the UK.

Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against hepatitis C.

There is treatment available that cures hepatitis C. The course of tablets is usually between 8 – 16 weeks in length, with around 95% cure rates.

Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus. It only affects people who are already infected with hepatitis B, as it needs the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in the body.

Hepatitis D is usually spread through blood-to-blood contact or sexual contact. It’s uncommon in the UK, but is more widespread in other parts of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

Long-term infection with hepatitis D and hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing serious problems, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

There’s no vaccine specifically for hepatitis D, but the hepatitis B vaccine can help protect you from it.