Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver, often silent, that spreads through sex and blood contact and is preventable with a safe, effective vaccine.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms, especially early on
- Tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine and pale stools
- Aching joints or abdominal discomfort
Causes and how it spreads
Hepatitis B spreads through unprotected sex, contact with infected blood, shared razors or needles, and from mother to child at birth. It is many times more infectious than HIV through the same routes. Most adults clear the infection within six months; a minority develop chronic infection that can quietly damage the liver over years.
How PVT tests for it
A blood panel at Lancet establishes whether you have a current infection, a past cleared infection, or vaccine immunity. If chronic infection is found, further bloods and liver checks stage it and guide management.
Treatment
Acute hepatitis B in adults usually clears on its own with monitoring and supportive care. Chronic infection is manageable: modern antiviral tablets control the virus and protect the liver, alongside regular monitoring. Better still, hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable, and the three-dose vaccine gives most people long-lasting protection.
When to see a doctor
Test if a partner has hepatitis B, after unprotected sex with a new partner, if you have jaundice or unexplained fatigue, or if you were never vaccinated and want to know your status. If you are not immune, vaccination is a simple fix.
Medically reviewed by Dr D. Moodley [DOCTOR_NAME_PLACEHOLDER], HPCSA [HPCSA_NUMBER_PLACEHOLDER]. Last reviewed 1 July 2026.
Questions about Hepatitis B
Most adults who catch hepatitis B clear it completely within six months and become immune. Chronic infection is not currently curable, but modern antiviral tablets keep the virus suppressed and protect the liver, with monitoring at routine intervals.
If you were not vaccinated as a child and are not already immune, yes. The three-dose course is safe, effective and gives decades of protection against a virus that spreads readily through sex. PVT can test your immunity first if you are unsure.
Often you would not, which is the problem. Many infections cause no symptoms until the liver is already affected. A simple blood panel settles the question, and screening for hepatitis B is included in a standard PVT sexual health panel where indicated.
Yes, if you have a current infection, it spreads readily through sex. The good news is your partner can be vaccinated, which protects them almost completely. Your doctor will guide testing and vaccination for your household.
Book a private consult
Most patients are seen within the week at Milnerton or Table View. You can book by WhatsApp without saying why you are coming in.
R650 private doctor consult, paid upfront by cash or card. It covers the assessment, test selection, explanation of your first results, and a script where clinically appropriate. Lab tests are billed separately by the blood lab (Lancet). Medical aid is optional: you claim back yourself if you have it.