Hepatitis: It Stops Here
posted by Jess Wynn
on 26th July 2017
Hepatitis B and C are infections that affect the liver. They can be passed on through sharing drug taking equipment or unprotected sex. Here's everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, treatments and getting tested.
Where can I get tested (Hep B & C) or vaccinated (Hep B only)?
You can get tested for Hepatitis B and C at your local sexual health clinic. You can also get your Hepatitis B vaccination at your sexual health clinic or GP.
Check out the details for the sexual health clinics in Yorkshire here:
To find out where and when you can access testing and vaccinations in Leeds, click here for the Leeds Sexual Health Clinic timetable. There are both walk-in sessions and appointments available throughout the week.
Alternatively, you can download the clinic timetable by clicking here.
You can book an appointment by calling 0113 392 0333. You can also book an appointment online by clicking here.
To find out where and when you can access testing and vaccinations in York, click here for the Yorsexualhealth clinic timetable. There are both walk-in sessions and appointments available throughout the week.
If you would like more information or if you would like to book an appointment, please call the central booking and information line on 01904 721111.
To find out where and when you can access testing and vaccinations in North Yorkshire, click here for the Yorsexualhealth clinic timetable. There are both walk-in sessions and appointments available throughout the week.
If you would like more information or if you would like to book an appointment, please call the central booking and information line on 01904 721111.
Click here to view the clinic timetable and locations for the sexual health service in Bradford. There are walk-in sessions and appointments available throughout the week.
Please call 030 3330 9500 if you need more information, or to book an appointment. This line is open for appointment bookings Monday-Friday between 8:30am-4:30pm.
More information about Bradford Sexual Health can be found by clicking here.
Spectrum Sexual Health Wakefield is open at the following times:
Monday: Walk in clinic 8.15am - 12pm
Appointments only 2pm - 7pm
Tuesday: Walk-in clinic 8.15am - 12pm
Walk in / Youth advice 3.30pm – 6.00 pm
Wednesday: Walk-in clinic 8.15am - 12pm
Appointments only 2pm - 7pm
Thursday: Walk-in clinic 8.15am - 12pm
Appointments only 2pm - 7pm
Friday: Walk-in clinic 8.15am - 12pm
Appointments only 2pm - 4.30pm
Saturday: Appointments only 9am - 12pm
The clinic address is Trinity Walk Clinic, Unit LG1A, Trinity Walk Shopping Centre, Wakefield, WF1 1QS.
For more information and to book an appointment, call 01924 327586.
Click here to find out more about sexual health services in Wakefield.
Please click here to view clinic locations and timetables for Hull and East Riding.
For more information about sexual health services in Hull and East Riding, click here.
For advice, or to book an appointment, call 01482 247111.
Trihealth Doncaster Sexual Health Service
There are two sexual health clinics in Doncaster.
The first is at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, DN2 5LT
The clinic opening times are as follows:
Monday: 9.00am – 7.00pm
Tuesday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday: 1.00pm – 7pm
Thursday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 12.45pm
There are both drop-ins and appointments available. For more information, or to book an appointment please call 01302 553111.
The second is at East Laith Gate House, East Laith Gate, Doncaster, DN1 1JE.
The clinic opening times are as follows:
Monday: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Tuesday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday: 1.00pm – 6.30pm
Thursday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 12.45pm
There are both drop-ins and appointments available. For more information, or to book an appointment please call 01302 640040.
Project3 Young Persons Health and Wellbeing Service
This service is for young people ages 18 years and under. The clinic takes place at East Laith Gate House, East Laith Gate, Doncaster, DN1 1JE.
Opening times are as follows:
Monday: 11:00am-6:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 11:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 11:00am-4:30pm
Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
There are both drop-ins and appointments available. For more information, or to book an appointment please call 01302 640032.
You can find out more about sexual health services in Doncaster by clicking here.
Click here to view the sexual health clinic and community testing site opening times in Rotherham.
The sexual health clinic hospital site is at Rotherham Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD. Call 01709 427777 for information and appointments.
The community site is at Rotherham Community Health Centre, Greasbrough Road, Rotherham, S60 1RY. Call 01709 423129 for more information.
Click here to find out more about sexual health services in Rotherham.
Click here to view the Sexual Health Sheffield clinic opening times and locations. There are appointments, walk-ins and youth clinics on offer throughout the week.
For further information, or to book an appointment please call 0114 226 8888.
Click here for more information about sexual health services in Sheffield.
The Calderdale Sexual Health clinic opening times are as follows:
Monday
9.00 - 1.30 pm - Queue and Wait
3.00 - 5.00 pm - Under 19's Queue and Wait
3.30 - 5.00 pm - Booked Appointments
5.30 - 6.30 pm - Queue and Wait
Tuesday
10.30 - 1.30 pm - Queue and Wait
1.00 - 4.00 pm - Booked Appointments
Wednesday
9.00 - 1.30 pm - Queue and Wait
3.30 - 6.30 pm - Booked Appointments
Thursday
9.00 - 1.30 pm - Queue and Wait
1.00 - 4.30 pm - Booked appointments
Friday
9.00 - 12.30 pm - Queue and Wait
1.00 – 2.00pm Booked appointments
Saturday
10.15 - 1.15 pm - Emergency Queue and Wait
The clinic address is 51 Northgate Plaza, Broad Street, Halifax, HX1 1UB.
For more information and to book an appointment, please call 01422 261370
Click here to find out more about Calderdale sexual health services.
Click here to view the clinic timetable for the sexual health service in Kirklees. There are walk in sessions and appointments available throughout the week.
Click here to find your nearest clinic. Please call 030 3330 9981 if you need more information, or to book an appointment.
More information about Kirklees Sexual Health can be found by clicking here.
Spectrum Sexual Health Barnsley is open at the following times:
Monday-Thursday: 8:15 - 11:30 Walk-in and wait
13:30 - 16:00 Appointment only
15:00 - 17:30 Youth drop-in (up to 19 years)
Friday: 8:15 - 11:30 Walk-in and wait
13:30 - 16:00 Appointment only
Saturday: 10:00 - 13:00 Appointment only
The clinic address is Unit 1 Gateway Plaza, Sackville Street, Barnsley, S70 2RD.
For more information and to book an appointment, call 0800 0556442.
Click here to find out more about sexual health services in Barnsley.
Hepatitis B vaccine FAQs
Yes. The vaccine does not interact with alcohol.
Yes, the vaccine does not contain real Hepatitis B virus. You cannot pass it on.
No, the vaccine does not interact with prescribed or recreational drugs.
It is important to complete all 3 injections. Generally the advice is that if you are more than six months late with your second injection or more than one year late for your third injection you will need to start the course of injections back at the beginning.
The only way to be sure you have become protected is to have a blood test several weeks after the last injection. The table below shows the percentage of people who become protected at each stage.
After one injection: 41%
After two injections: 86%
After three injections: 97%
Booster doses are recommended every 5 years. The antibodies that protect you from the Hepatitis B virus will slowly fall over time in your blood. The booster is recommended to keep your antibody levels high and protect you from infection.
The vaccine does not contain real Hepatitis B virus.
Side effects are uncommon. The most common is some mild soreness or redness at the site of the injection. Other possible side effects include fever, rash, muscle and joint aches. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are extremely rare and are treated with an injection of adrenaline.
It is recommended that people unwell with high fevers (e.g. flu) should wait until the illness has settled. Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a Hepatitis B vaccine should not have further doses. (Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare).