February 14 is best known as Valentine’s Day, but the loved-up day also has another moniker- National Condom Day (NCD).
The health promotion event reminds people that condoms are not only a form of contraception but also an effective barrier against STI transmission. Every year Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT unveils a condom box for the year, thousands of these boxes are attached to roses and distributed across the Canberra region on the NCD. Once again, we received bunches to hand out to our community, a February highlight for all involved.
So, what do condoms have to do with hepatitis?
Hepatitis B is both a blood-borne virus (BBV) and a sexually transmissible infection (STI). It is similar to HIV in the way that it can be transmitted, through blood and sexual fluids.
If you are unsure of your hepatitis B status or whether you have been vaccinated against the virus, ask your doctor for a blood test. Remember, hepatitis B tests are not included in your regular blood work.