Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can result in acute and chronic diseases, with potential long-term complications such as liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
With the disease posing a significant risk among certain high-risk groups, our team is here to provide accessible hepatitis B immunisation to Gold Coast community members. With proper vaccination and knowledge of the disease, you can be protected and safe from its serious effects.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B transmission occurs in two ways: perinatal or horizontal. Perinatal transmission happens when the mum passes the infection to the child at birth, whereas horizontal transmission is when an individual gets exposed to infected blood, vaginal fluids, or semen.
The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long-term). Acute infections last less than six months and are more likely to be cleared by the body’s immune system. Chronic cases, on the other hand, may last a lifetime and can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The risk of acquiring chronic hepatitis B is higher in newborns and children under the age of 5 compared to older individuals. Chronic infections can remain undetected for many years until a person becomes seriously ill from liver disease.
Hepatitis A vs. Hepatitis B: A Quick Comparison
Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | |
| Transmission | Consuming contaminated food or water, exposure to faeces | Exposure to infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids, mother-to-child transmission |
| Symptoms | Body aches and pains, lack of appetite, dark urine, followed by jaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin | Often doesn’t have symptoms, but can sometimes cause jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and joint pain |
| Window period (from the time between the exposure to the appearance of the infection in the blood test or HBsAg test) | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Treatment | No specific treatment is needed but it requires adequate rest and staying hydrated. Complementary therapies may be needed to manage symptoms but care is needed to avoid potential liver damage. | No specific treatment for hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with oral medicines. |
| Prevention | Vaccination, proper hygiene, and practising safer sex. Sexual partners or household contacts of an infected individual should receive immunoglobulin for short-term protection. | Vaccination, avoiding blood-to-blood contact, practising safer sex, and avoiding sharing needles and other drug-injecting equipment. Newborn babies should receive immunoglobulin within 12 hours of birth. |
Why is Hepatitis B Vaccination Important in Australia?
In Australia, about 1 in 100 people have chronic hepatitis B. Many of them, however, are unaware they have it.
The majority of the people affected by chronic hepatitis B in Australia include those born in endemic areas overseas, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, people who inject drugs, and men who engage in sexual intercourse with the same sex. Other high-risk groups for hepatitis B in Australia include people whose parents were born in overseas endemic areas, as well as those who have been exposed to the infection through sexual or medical means prior to standard blood donation screening procedures.3
You can protect yourself against hepatitis B and its potential long-term effects by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine in Gold Coast is safe and highly effective, providing a protective antibody response against the disease. It is especially important for the following:
- Infants
- Children and adolescents
- Adults at increased risk of catching the disease, including healthcare workers, travellers to high-risk areas, and people with chronic liver disease
Accessible and Comprehensive Hepatitis B Shot in Gold Coast
In line with our commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services, we offer accessible hepatitis B vaccination for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Our Coolangatta doctor for hepatitis B vaccination is here to ensure you receive the best care and support. This includes personalised vaccination plans tailored to your needs and risk factors as well as follow-up care to monitor your response and schedule any necessary booster doses.
Our team of doctors at Coolangatta Medical Centre offer all necessary vaccinations and health advice to keep yourself protected, including typhoid fever, cholera, and COVID-19, as well as other travel vaccinations. Schedule your vaccination with us today and take the first step to safeguarding your health.
