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Looking after your liver: a simple guide for international students

Starting life in a new country can be busy and challenging. Between study, work and everyday life, it’s easy to forget about your health.  Your liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body, but it’s probably not something you think about very often. Looking after your liver […]

Daniel’s Journey: A Guide to PrEP for International Students in NSW

Daniel’s experience getting PrEP in Australia Accessing PrEP as an international student in Australia can feel overwhelming when you’re already navigating a new healthcare system, a new community, and a new sense of freedom. This month, we spoke with Daniel, a public health graduate who came to Australia as an […]

You belong here

Support for trans and gender diverse international students  Being trans or gender diverse in Australia as an international student can feel overwhelming.   You may have grown up in a place where gender diversity was never talked about. Maybe it was seen as wrong, or even illegal. Moving to Australia can feel very different from what you are used to.   You might […]

Visit the blog
Looking after your liver: a simple guide for international students

Starting life in a new country can be busy and challenging. Between study, work and everyday life, it’s easy to forget about your health.  Your liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body, but it’s probably not something you think about very often. Looking after your liver […]

Daniel’s Journey: A Guide to PrEP for International Students in NSW

Daniel’s experience getting PrEP in Australia Accessing PrEP as an international student in Australia can feel overwhelming when you’re already navigating a new healthcare system, a new community, and a new sense of freedom. This month, we spoke with Daniel, a public health graduate who came to Australia as an […]

You belong here

Support for trans and gender diverse international students  Being trans or gender diverse in Australia as an international student can feel overwhelming.   You may have grown up in a place where gender diversity was never talked about. Maybe it was seen as wrong, or even illegal. Moving to Australia can feel very different from what you are used to.   You might […]

Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships: Know the Signs

Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships Relationships are an important part of life. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships. Types of relationships You can have many different types of relationships in your life. Some may change or end over time. Others may last a […]

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Here’s everything you need to know about hepatitis

Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver. This page has all you need to know about hepatitis B (Hep B) and hepatitis C (Hep C). Understanding how to protect yourself from hepatitis, how and where to get a hepatitis test and the ways you can treat or manage hepatitis is the first step toward taking control of your health.

Hep B and Hep C often have no symptoms. This means you won’t know you have it unless you get a test. Even without symptoms, it can be passed on to others.  Without proper treatment, Hep B and Hep C can cause long-term swelling of the liver and develop into serious illnesses.

Hepatitis B and C is passed on when blood or semen from a person with hepatitis enters the body of someone who does not have hepatitis. You cannot get Hep B or Hep C 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.

Testing for hepatitis B and C is easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about. Hepatitis B and C is tested for by a blood test. You need to ask your doctor to do a test. It is not part of normal blood tests done by your doctor.

If you have questions about hepatitis or sexual health, you can call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call) to speak to a specialist sexual health nurse. The Sexual Health Infolink is open Monday – Friday between 9am – 5.30pm. The Sexual Health Infolink provides free, non-judgemental sexual health information and referral. You can call if you have symptoms, to find your nearest sexual health clinic or if you need access to condoms.

You can also call the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990 (free call). The Hepatitis Infoline is open Monday – Wednesday and Friday between 9am – 5pm and Thursday from 1pm-5pm.

If you would like an interpreter to help you access health services or information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

 

Want to know more? Visit our dedicated factsheet pages below to find out more information:

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis BHepatitis B

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Hepatitis CHepatitis C

More Resources

Where can I go for support?Where can I go for support?

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