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Do you ever find yourself looking for sexual health information online and even on social media? How can you tell if the information you are seeing is credible, reliable or really not the best? This month, the International Student Health Hub sat down with Aiman Rizal, a PhD researcher and […]
The iconic Mardi Gras Festival is back from 14th February to 2nd March 2025! Celebrating its 47th year, the festival’s theme is Free to Be. “Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will […]
This blog was written by Billy the Peer and Vocational Support Officer at Positive Life NSW. Moving to a new country for education is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of these challenges is navigating the healthcare system. Your questions might be, […]
Do you ever find yourself looking for sexual health information online and even on social media? How can you tell if the information you are seeing is credible, reliable or really not the best? This month, the International Student Health Hub sat down with Aiman Rizal, a PhD researcher and […]
The iconic Mardi Gras Festival is back from 14th February to 2nd March 2025! Celebrating its 47th year, the festival’s theme is Free to Be. “Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will […]
This blog was written by Billy the Peer and Vocational Support Officer at Positive Life NSW. Moving to a new country for education is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of these challenges is navigating the healthcare system. Your questions might be, […]
Do you know the difference between a vulva and a vagina? What about the penis, foreskin and testicles? Does size matter? How much do you know about breasts? Have you ever checked your breasts? This blog post was co-written by the International Student Health Hub team and Rainbow, an international […]
Hepatitis B (also called hep B or HBV) is a virus that affects the liver. A safe and effective vaccine can prevent you from getting hep B.
Hepatitis B (Hep B) is a virus that affects the liver. It can be chronic, which means a person will have it their whole life. Hep B can be prevented with vaccination. Hep B often has no symptoms. This means you won’t know you have it unless you get a blood test.
Hep B can be passed when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person with Hep B enters the body of someone who does not have Hep B. The most common time people get Hep B is early in life. Babies can get Hep B from their mother before or during birth.
Some other ways you can get Hep B are:
You cannot get Hep B from kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, sharing food, drinks or eating utensils, insect or animal bites (including mosquitos) or from sharing bathrooms, showers or toilets.
Hep B is tested for by a blood test. You need to ask your doctor to do a Hep B test. It is not part of normal blood tests done by your doctor. If you have been exposed to Hep B it is important to see your doctor straight away. Hep B tests are easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about.
You can get a Hep B test at your local doctor, a sexual health clinic and some university health clinics. You can call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call) to find the closest service to you.
There is no cure for Hep B. Many adults will naturally get rid of Hep B without treatment, but some people (particularly young children) can develop chronic health conditions that need regular care. People with chronic Hep B can take medicines to prevent liver damage. Medicines for Hep B will help you stay healthy and live well.
If you would like an interpreter to help you access health services or information, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.