Hepatitis B in brief
- Hepatitis B is a highly contagious STI that's transmitted through mucous membranes or by blood-to-blood contact.
- There is also a chronic variant of hepatitis B: not everyone who gets this STI can clear the virus.
- You don't always notice symptoms of hepatitis B, so if you're not sure if you've been at risk, an STI test is advisable for more certainty.
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an STI and disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Sometimes hepatitis B goes away by itself, but there are also cases where the disease does not go away at all. Then we speak of chronic Hepatitis B. You are more likely to get Hepatitis B if you are male and have sex with men, are a sex worker, use drugs with a syringe and share them with others or have sex with someone from a country where Hepatitis B is common. These include countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia and parts of South and Central America.
How does an online home STI test work?
1. Take the FREE STI test guide
2. Completely anonymous ordering and delivery
3. Send your sample to our lab for FREE.
4. Get your results
How do you get hepatitis B?
You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact or contact with another person's blood, such as by sharing a razor blade or toothbrush with someone who has the disease. During sex, you can avoid getting infected with hepatitis B by using a condom. The chances of transmitting the STI are then small.Testing for hepatitis B via Soapoli-online
After you become infected with hepatitis B, it may take up to 6 months before you recognize symptoms. You may also not develop any symptoms at all. Because you don't notice right away - or at all - that you have hepatitis B, you can pass this STI on to other people without realizing it. It is therefore important to test if you think you may have become infected. Test through Soapoil-online if you are not comfortable going to your doctor for this. We will send you a test that you can take yourself at home.
The advantage of testing at Soapoli-online
√ Results as early as 48 hours after arrival at the ISO-certified lab
√ Complete care: from STI test advice to treatment
√ Ordered before 10:45 p.m., shipped today
Resources
This page has been carefully compiled with information from official and independent health organizations:
Frequently Asked Questions
The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Many people don't get symptoms of hepatitis B, or don't get symptoms until years later. If you do develop symptoms, they may include fatigue, nausea or joint pain.
You can get hepatitis B through contact with another person's blood. This can occur during sex, but also in other ways. For example, by sharing a razor or toothbrush with someone who has the virus.
If you've been at risk, for example through unprotected sex, you can get tested from 8 weeks after possible exposure. This is called the window period. If you test earlier than 8 weeks, the test may not be able to reliably detect the virus. For advice, use our free STI testing guide.
Yes, in many adults, your body clears the virus on its own within a few months. We call this an acute infection. If it lasts longer, then you probably have chronic hepatitis B which needs treatment.
Using condoms during sex helps protect against hepatitis B. There is also a vaccination against hepatitis B. You can arrange to be vaccinated through the GGD. The vaccination is also recommended for travelers to certain areas.