FAQs
Frequently asked questions about hepatitis B
How hepatitis B spreads
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No. Hepatitis B does not spread through touching nor saliva.
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No. Hepatitis B does not spread through casual contact, such as touching, hugging, kissing or shaking hands.
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Yes. One of the ways you can get hepatitis B is through sex.
The virus can be found in blood, semen and other sexual fluids. It can spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex if you don’t use a condom.
The best way to protect yourself is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine and using condoms during sex.
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There are several simple and effective ways to protect your family:
Get them tested and vaccinated. If they aren’t already protected, they should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
Avoid sharing personal items that may get blood on them, such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or earrings.
Practice safe sex. Use condoms to reduce the risk of passing the virus to a sexual partner, especially if they’re not vaccinated.
Cover cuts and sores. Keep any cuts or wounds covered with a waterproof dressing.
Don’t donate blood or organs.
Testing for hepatitis B
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No, not all blood tests will show if you have hepatitis B.
To detect hepatitis B specifically, your doctor needs to order a specific blood test that looks for the virus and your body’s response to it. These tests check for different markers in your blood:
HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen): Shows if you currently have the virus.
Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B surface antibody): Shows if you are protected from the virus, either through vaccination or recovery.
Anti-HBc (Hepatitis B core antibody): Shows if you’ve been exposed to the virus in the past.
A routine blood test might suggest liver inflammation, but it can’t confirm if it’s due to hepatitis B. Ask your doctor if you're unsure whether you've been specifically tested for hepatitis B.
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Hepatitis B can affect everyone differently. Some people will overcome and get rid of their hepatitis B within 6 months. Some people will develop chronic hepatitis B. In general if you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B and get acute hepatitis B:
Adults and children over 6 years old: 5% will develop chronic hepatitis B.
Children 1 - 6 years old: 30% will develop chronic hepatitis B.
Infants less than 1 year old: 90% will develop chronic hepatitis B
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Yes, it’s a good idea for close family members and people you live with to get tested for hepatitis B.
The virus can be spread through contact with blood or sexual fluids, so people who share a household, especially sexual partners or anyone who might come into contact with your blood (like through shared razors or toothbrushes), may be at risk.
Testing will show whether they:
Have hepatitis B
Are already protected (immune)
Need the hepatitis B vaccine
If they’re not immune, vaccination can help protect them from getting infected. Encourage your family to talk to a doctor about getting tested and vaccinated.
Getting a hepatitis B vaccine
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Yes. If you want to check if you are immune to hepatitis B you can ask your doctor for a blood test to check your immunity to hepatitis B.
Find out more about hepatitis B vaccinations here.
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You can get a vaccine for hepatitis B through your GP.
How to treat hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B can affect everyone differently. Some people will overcome and get rid of their hepatitis B within 6 months. Some people will develop chronic hepatitis B. In general if you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B and get acute hepatitis B:
Adults and children over 6 years old: 5% will develop chronic hepatitis B.
Children 1 - 6 years old: 30% will develop chronic hepatitis B.
Infants less than 1 year old: 90% will develop chronic hepatitis B
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Yes, getting monitored for your hepatitis B is important.
Even if you feel healthy, hepatitis B can quietly damage your liver without any symptoms for many years. Seeing your doctor for routine tests helps catch any changes early and keeps your liver healthy.
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Right now, there is no complete cure for chronic hepatitis B, but there are very effective treatments. The treatments can:
Lower the amount of virus in your body
Protect your liver from damage
Reduce the risk of liver cancer
Some people with chronic hepatitis B may not need treatment right away but still need regular check-ups. Others may take antiviral medication to control the virus.
Researchers are working hard to find a true cure, and new treatments are being developed, so the future is promising.
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If you usually take herbal or Traditional Chinese medicines, you should be cautious about taking them for hepatitis B.
Some of these medicines might help you with your symptoms or help support your liver health, but they should not replace modern medical treatment to control the virus or reduce liver damage.
If you want to take herbal or Traditional Chinese Medicines, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor to avoid harmful combinations that might damage the liver.
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No, doing a detox will not get rid of hepatitis B.
There is no detox, cleanse, or natural remedy that can remove the hepatitis B virus from your body.
If you have hepatitis B, the best way to protect your liver and stay healthy is to:
See a doctor regularly for check-ups
Take antiviral medication when it’s prescribed
Avoid alcohol and anything else that could harm your liver
Eat a balanced diet
Exercise regularly
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If you don’t get treatment nor regular check-ups for hepatitis B, the virus can slowly damage your liver over time, even if you don’t feel sick.
Possible long-term effects include:
Liver fibrosis or cirrhosis
Liver cancer
Liver failure
The tricky part is that many people with chronic hepatitis B feel completely fine for years, but the virus may still be silently damaging their liver.
That’s why it’s so important to:
Get regular check-ups, even if you feel healthy
Take medication if your doctor recommends it
Avoid alcohol and protect your liver from other harm
Early and on-going care can protect your health and help you live a long, healthy life.
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Having both diabetes and hepatitis B can increase your risk of liver problems, but with the right care, you can stay healthy.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your liver is more vulnerable. Hepatitis B can damage your liver over time, and diabetes can add extra stress to your liver. Together, they increase your risk of liver complications.
You need regular check-ups. It’s especially important to monitor your liver health and blood sugar levels closely. Your doctor may recommend more frequent blood tests or liver imaging.
You may need treatment. If you have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor may recommend antiviral medication to help protect your liver.
Protect your liver. Avoid alcohol, avoid smoking, and check with your doctor before taking new medicines or supplements—some can be harsh on your liver.
The good news is that many people with both diabetes and hepatitis B live full, healthy lives. Managing both conditions well—with medical care, healthy eating, and regular exercise—can help reduce your risks and keep your liver strong.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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Yes, hepatitis B can pass from mother to baby during birth.
However there are ways of trying to prevent this. If your baby gets two important injections soon after birth — the hepatitis B vaccine and a special antibody injection — there’s a 95% chance they’ll be protected from infection. Your doctor or midwife will make sure this happens at the hospital.
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Yes, you can breastfeed if you have hepatitis B. The virus is not spread through breastmilk.
If you have cracked or bleeding nipples, you should avoid breastfeeding on that breast until it heals. Meanwhile, you can express and discard the milk from that breast to maintain the milk supply. Once the nipple has healed, you can resume breastfeeding from that nipple.
Legal and visa Information
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In most cases you don’t have to tell anyone if you have hepatitis B and it is your decision. There are some cases when you do have to tell:
Donating blood, organs or sperm: you can’t give blood if you have hepatitis B. If you want to donate organs or sperm you will have to test for hepatitis B and consult with your doctor.
Applying for health or life insurance: you might need to tell them if you have hepatitis B. If you don’t they might cancel or modify your contract when you make a claim.
People in the Australian Defence Force: if you work in the Australian Defence Force (including the Army, Navy, and Air Force), you need to tell them if you get hepatitis B.
Applying for a visa to live in Australia: if you are applying for a visa to live in Australia and you have to answer questions about your health, it is best to be honest and tell them if you have hepatitis B.
Some healthcare workers: some people who work in healthcare who perform exposure prone procedures (EPPs) have to follow national guidelines
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In the past, some visa applicants for Australia with hepatitis B were refused a visa.
This requirement has changed. Hepatitis B is now generally not considered a public health threat to the Australian community according to Australia’s current migration laws. Also, a reduction in the costs of hepatitis B treatment means that if you require hepatitis B treatment, the cost should not fail visa requirements.
However there are situations with exceptions, such as if you are planning to study or work in certain professions. Another exception may be if you have other underlying conditions or need a liver transplant.
You can find more detailed information in this page or in this booklet. The information in the booklet was correct at time of publication August 2024 and at last review January 2025.
Hepatitis B with other health conditions
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Having both diabetes and hepatitis B can increase your risk of liver problems, but with the right care, you can stay healthy.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your liver is more vulnerable. Hepatitis B can damage your liver over time, and diabetes can add extra stress to your liver. Together, they increase your risk of liver complications.
You need regular check-ups. It’s especially important to monitor your liver health and blood sugar levels closely. Your doctor may recommend more frequent blood tests or liver imaging.
You may need treatment. If you have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor may recommend antiviral medication to help protect your liver.
Protect your liver. Avoid alcohol, avoid smoking, and check with your doctor before taking new medicines or supplements—some can be harsh on your liver.
The good news is that many people with both diabetes and hepatitis B live full, healthy lives. Managing both conditions well—with medical care, healthy eating, and regular exercise—can help reduce your risks and keep your liver strong.
