Prevention

Prevention is better than cure. If you do not have one of the viruses that cause Hepatitis then there are ways you can minimise the risk of contracting one. If you do have one of them then you may want to reduce the risk to those around you. Some of this section may apply to you. Please use it as a reference. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding In the UK, all Pregnant women are tested for Hepatitis B and, if they have the Virus, their babies are vaccinated soon after birth. This means that it is safe for them to breastfeed their children. However, women with hepatitis B should not donate milk to breast milk banks or breastfeed other people’s children. Injecting drug use and hepatitis Even spots of blood too small to be seen by the human eye can carry enough of a virus to infect someone. Using syringes and any other part of the injecting equipment, including needle, spoon, filter and water that have previously been used by someone else can easily lead to infection with hepatitis. Safer sex Besides helping to prevent pregnancy, Condoms are also effective in preventing the transmission of viruses. If you have hepatitis B, your partner should be Immunised against hepatitis B (if not already infected). Other sexual activities that can transmit hepatitis Oral sex, which is licking/sucking the Penis or Vagina, can result in the transmission of hepatitis B. If you want to protect yourself from this then you could use a condom without any lubricant on it, or a Vaginal barrier such as a Dental dam. Hepatitis B can be contracted if you swallow faeces (poo) from someone with the virus. Therefore, if you Rim someone (lick around their anus) or lick a finger that has been inside their rectum, then there is a chance you could contract hepatitis B. Sex toys, such as dildos or vibrators, could also transmit hepatitis B if they are then inserted into someone else without being properly cleaned.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 June 2009 )

 

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