Protect Yourself Protect Your Family
Get vaccinated for hepatitis B One in 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia is living with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a virus carried in the blood which causes scarring of the liver. Left unmanaged, it can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. You can get hepatitis B from: · the blood of someone with hepatitis B getting into your bloodstream, such as through sharing injecting equipment or using unsterilised tattooing or piercing equipment, · your mother, if she had hepatitis B when you were born, · unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis B.
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and very effective . A full course of the hepatitis B vaccine can protect you from the virus. Hepatitis B vaccination is FREE for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Speak to your health worker about getting tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B.
For more information about hepatitis B or C call 1800 437 222 or visit hepsa.asn.au Developed and produced on Kaurna Country Image created with photograph by Ian Hitchcock and paintings by Taoundi College artists SA Health has contributed funds towards this program