Hepatitis B - Treatment and Prevention
Hepatitis B is a liver infection US travelers can prevent with a safe, effective vaccine before heading to high-risk regions around the world.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic), and chronic infection puts people at serious risk of liver damage and liver cancer. US travelers heading to parts of Asia, Africa, and other high-prevalence regions face a real risk if they are not vaccinated, especially if they may need medical care, have new sexual partners, or get tattoos or piercings abroad.
WayPax Health is a full virtual travel clinic. A licensed travel health provider will review your itinerary and issue a real prescription online. No clinic visit needed, no waiting rooms, no delays.
Get your Hepatitis B prescription and other travel medicines online today.How to prevent Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to protect yourself before travel. According to the WHO, the vaccine offers nearly 100% protection against the virus. Several vaccine options are available for adults in the US.
The standard hepatitis B vaccine series includes three doses given over six months. Brand names include Engerix-B and Recombivax HB. Heplisav-B is a two-dose option that can be completed in just one month, which is helpful for travelers with less time before departure. Twinrix is a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine given in three doses and is a practical choice for travelers at risk of both infections. Research published on PubMed Central notes that Twinrix is a logical option for travelers who may face both hepatitis A and B exposure.
Even one or two doses before travel provides some protection. Per NIH research, partial vaccination before departure can still reduce risk and start a series that can be completed after returning home. Beyond vaccination, travelers should avoid unprotected sex with new partners, refuse unsafe injections or medical procedures, and avoid sharing needles or sharp instruments. Choose tattoo and piercing studios that use sterile equipment.
WayPax Health recommendation
WayPax Health carries the hepatitis B vaccines Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, Heplisav-B, and the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine Twinrix. These vaccines are recommended for any traveler heading to regions with intermediate to high hepatitis B prevalence, including those visiting Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, as well as long-stay visitors, backpackers, adventure travelers, healthcare volunteers, and anyone who may receive medical or dental care abroad. A WayPax provider will review your full itinerary, discuss which vaccine schedule fits your timeline, and issue a real prescription online without you ever needing to step into a clinic. This is the same level of personalized travel health care you would get at a traditional travel clinic, done entirely from your home. Getting vaccinated before your trip is one of the most straightforward steps you can take, and WayPax makes it easy to check that box before you leave.
Get your Hepatitis B prescription and other travel medicines online today.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The infection can be acute, meaning it lasts a short time and the body clears it, or chronic, meaning it stays in the body long-term and can cause serious liver damage over time. According to the WHO, an estimated 240 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2024, and the disease caused approximately 1.1 million deaths that year, mostly from cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva when open cuts or sores are present. It also passes from mother to child during birth. Common symptoms of acute infection include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Many people have no symptoms at all, which makes the infection easy to miss. The CDC notes that the most common travel-related risk factors include sexual contact with a new partner and receiving medical or dental care abroad. Research from NIH confirms that casual sexual activity and medical care abroad are the most frequently encountered risk factors for travel-related hepatitis B.
Where is Hepatitis B a risk?
Hepatitis B is found worldwide, but the burden of infection is far higher in some regions than others. According to the WHO, the Western Pacific Region and the African Region carry the heaviest burden globally, with approximately 102 million and 64 million people chronically infected, respectively. These two regions together account for the majority of the world's hepatitis B cases.
South-East Asia is also significantly affected, with an estimated 43 million people living with chronic infection in that region. The Eastern Mediterranean Region has approximately 16 million chronically infected people, and the European Region has around 9.7 million. The Americas have the lowest regional burden, with approximately 5 million people affected, though risk still exists in parts of South America and the Caribbean.
Travelers to any region with intermediate to high hepatitis B prevalence face elevated risk, particularly if their trip involves medical or dental care, sexual contact with new partners, or activities that could lead to exposure to blood or body fluids. There are no strong seasonal patterns for hepatitis B transmission. Risk is present year-round wherever the virus is prevalent.
Treatment: what to do if you get Hepatitis B
There is no specific antiviral treatment for acute hepatitis B. Most adults with a short-term infection recover on their own with rest, fluids, and supportive care. However, chronic hepatitis B, which is more common in people infected as infants or young children, can be managed with antiviral medications prescribed by a specialist. The WHO notes that chronic infection puts people at high risk of serious liver disease over time.
Travelers who develop symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe fatigue, dark urine, or significant abdominal pain should seek medical care promptly. If you believe you have been exposed to hepatitis B during travel, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Post-exposure treatment may be available and is most effective when started quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking care. Per NIH research, early medical evaluation after a potential exposure is important.
Frequently asked questions
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva when open cuts or sores are present. It also passes from a mother to her baby during birth. Common ways travelers get exposed include unprotected sex with a new partner, receiving medical or dental care with unsterilized equipment, and sharing needles or sharp instruments. The virus does not spread through casual contact like hugging, sharing food, or coughing.
Is hepatitis B contagious while traveling?
Yes, hepatitis B is contagious, and travelers can be exposed in many everyday situations abroad. Research from NIH identifies sexual contact with new partners and medical or dental care abroad as the most common risk factors for travelers. Getting vaccinated before your trip is the most effective way to protect yourself. Avoiding unsafe injections and unprotected sex also reduces your risk significantly.
Can you get hepatitis B from saliva?
Hepatitis B can be present in saliva, but transmission through saliva alone is considered low risk. According to the WHO, the virus spreads through saliva mainly when there are open cuts or sores in the mouth. Casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinks, or sneezing does not typically transmit the virus. The much higher-risk routes are blood-to-blood contact and sexual exposure.
Is hepatitis B curable?
Acute hepatitis B, the short-term form of the infection, clears on its own in most healthy adults without any specific treatment. Chronic hepatitis B, the long-term form, is not curable but can be managed with antiviral medications that slow liver damage. The WHO notes that chronic infection significantly raises the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer over time. The best approach is prevention through vaccination before travel.
What is the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for adults?
The standard schedule for adults uses three doses given at zero, one, and six months. Heplisav-B is a two-dose option that can be completed in as little as one month, making it a good fit for travelers with limited time before departure. Twinrix, the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, follows a three-dose schedule. NIH research notes that even one or two doses before travel can provide some protection and start a series that can be finished after returning home. A WayPax provider can help you choose the right schedule for your timeline.
Should travelers get the hepatitis B vaccine before a trip?
Yes, vaccination is strongly recommended for travelers heading to regions with intermediate to high hepatitis B prevalence, including much of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Per NIH research, the hepatitis B vaccine is specifically recommended for adults traveling to high or intermediate endemic countries. WayPax Health is a full virtual travel clinic where a licensed provider can review your itinerary and issue a real vaccine prescription online, without you needing to visit a clinic in person.
How is hepatitis B different from hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B both infect the liver, but they spread differently and have different outcomes. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water, while hepatitis B spreads through blood and body fluids. Hepatitis A almost always resolves on its own, while hepatitis B can become a lifelong chronic infection. Both have safe and effective vaccines, and Twinrix protects against both in a single series, which is convenient for travelers at risk of both infections.
Explore by region
Western Pacific
Africa
South-East Asia
Eastern Mediterranean
Europe and Central Asia
Related diseases
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid fever
- Japanese encephalitis
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
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