It is considered a robust virus, meaning that it can live longer outside the body and is, therefore, easier to transmit than most other viruses, including HIV and Hepatitis C. But unlike HIV and Hep C, there is a vaccine available to prevent you getting Hep B.

This vaccine is safe and effective but to get full protection against Hep B you must have all three doses (injections) of the vaccine.

The whole vaccination process takes 2 to 6 months, because each dose needs to be spaced apart to work properly. Hep B vaccination is recommended for everyone, and since the year 2000, is given routinely to all newborns (the first of three injections) and all year 7 students in Australia. So if you were born after 2000, born overseas or never got vaccinated at school, chances are you have not been vaccinated.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B (Hep B) is a virus that causes your liver to become swollen and sometimes painful. If the Hep B virus gets into your blood stream you have Hep B. Like HIV, Hep B can be transmitted sexually, as well as via blood to blood contact.

How do you get Hep B?

Hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually as well via blood to blood contact.