Countries at risk
Hepatitis B is most prevalent in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, South & Central America.
Travel Precautions
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through blood or other bodily fluids. The most frequent method of transmission where the infection is common occurs during birth, when many people are exposed to bodily fluids. Blood transfusion, dialysis, tattooing, acupuncture treatments, intravenous drug use and unprotected sex can also spread the virus.
Signs & Symptoms
Though many people develop no symptoms at all from the initial infection, acute hepatitis B infections often cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dark coloured urine, abdominal pain and yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice). Symptoms such as these often occur only 20 to 180 days after initial infection. Chronic sufferers rarely display any of these symptoms.
The Vaccination
• Course: A primary course of 3 injections followed by a 4th within 12 months. Boosters may be needed every 5 years.
• When to get vaccinated: At least four weeks before travel. It can be given closer to you travel date but this leaves you at a greater risk.
• Side effects: Side effects are very rare and limited to pain at the site of injection.
• Children: The vaccine is suitable for children from birth, however, we only vaccinate children aged 12 years and older.