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Prevention of Hepatitis

Prevention of Blood-borne hepatitis

Hepatitis B, C and D can be transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids. Therefore, the precautions are the same as those against other blood-borne infections.

Safer Sex

Limit the number of your sexual partners. Practice safer sex and use the condom properly. If your sexual partner is infected with chronic hepatitis B, you should take a blood test, which includes hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), as soon as possible. If your blood result shows HBsAg positive, it means that you are currently infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). You should seek medical consultation. If your blood result shows negative in both HBsAg and anti-HBs, it means that you have neither HBV infection nor immunity to HBV infection. You should receive vaccination as soon as possible.

Disinfect items contaminated by blood or body fluids

Use gloved hands to handle splashes of blood and body fluid and perform hand hygiene after cleansing.

  • For blood, cleanse the visible matter with disposable absorbent material soaked with 1 part of household bleach into 4 parts of water (1:4). After leaving for 10 minutes, rinse with water.
  • For blood-stained clothing, soak with 1 part of household bleach into 49 parts of water (1:49) for 30 minutes and then wash as usual.
  • For other body fluids, cleanse the visible matter with disposable absorbent material soaked with 1 part of household bleach into 49 parts of water (1:49). After leaving for 30 minutes, rinse with water.

Other Precautions

  • Handle open wound carefully; make sure it is properly bandaged
  • Do NOT share razors and toothbrushes or needles with other people
  • Be careful if you decide to undergo procedures like tattooing and mole removal. Make sure clean, disposable instruments are used
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