SHAG Week (Sexual Health and Guidance Week) is all about empowering young people to take control of their sexual health through knowledge, open conversations and safer practices. Hepatitis ACT is proud to be part of this important initiative across Canberra’s CIT campuses, helping to highlight aspects of sexual health that sometimes get overlooked.
While sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and gonorrhoea are more commonly discussed during SHAG Week, there is another virus that deserves your attention hepatitis B. Even though hepatitis B is classified as a blood-borne virus rather than a typical STI, it can still be passed on during sex. Understanding how this works and what you can do to protect yourself is a key part of looking after your sexual health.
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver leading to both short-term illness and long-term liver damage if left untreated. While some people are able to clear the virus on their own, others may develop chronic hepatitis B, which requires lifelong monitoring and care. Most people are able to clear close to 95%
The virus is spread through blood and certain bodily fluids, including semen and vaginal fluid. This means that sexual transmission is a real possibility, especially during unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Many people living with hepatitis B do not show any symptoms and may not realise they are infected. That is why testing and prevention are so important, particularly for people who are sexually active.
How can hepatitis B be passed on during sex?
Although hepatitis B is most commonly associated with blood-to-blood contact, sexual transmission remains one of the most significant pathways globally. The virus can be found in semen and vaginal secretions, which means it can be passed between partners during unprotected sex.
Men who have sex with men are at increased risk due to the higher likelihood of microscopic tears and contact with bodily fluids during anal sex. People with multiple sexual partners, those who do not consistently use condoms, or individuals who are unsure of their hepatitis B vaccination status may also be more at risk.
Who should be paying attention?
Everyone who is sexually active should understand how hepatitis B is transmitted. However, some people face a higher risk due to a combination of biological, behavioural and social factors.
Groups who may be more impacted include:
- Men who have sex with men
- People who have multiple sexual partners
- Partners of people living with hepatitis B
- People who inject drugs or have injected in the past
- People born in countries where hepatitis B is more common
- People living with HIV
- People engaged with the justice system
It is important to note that hepatitis B does not discriminate. The virus affects people from all walks of life, and the best protection comes from a combination of vaccination, safer sex practices, regular testing, and access to clear, non-judgemental health information.
Is there a vaccine?
Yes, there is a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B that offers long-term protection, many people in Australia are vaccinated in infancy or during school-based immunisation programs, but some may have missed out. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, a check of your records or simple blood test can determine whether you are protected.
If you have not been vaccinated, it is never too late. The hepatitis B vaccine is available to many people at risk, including people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and people who have not received the full course of childhood immunisations.
How can I protect myself and others?
There are simple, practical steps you can take to reduce your risk of hepatitis B:
- Use condoms and take other safe sex protective measures
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B if you have not already
- Talk to your sexual partners about STI testing and vaccination history
- Avoid sharing personal items that might come into contact with blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
- If you inject drugs, use sterile injecting equipment every time and never share
Why it matters
At Hepatitis ACT, we believe that health education should be inclusive, accessible, and stigma-free. We understand that talking about sexual health can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but we also know that information is power.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone including university and CIT students have access to the tools and knowledge needed to make informed choices about their health, hepatitis B may not be the most talked-about part of SHAG Week, but it is an important one.
Sexual health is about more than just avoiding infections, it is about respect, consent, confidence, and care for yourself and others.
Come see us during SHAG Week
Our team will be at the ACT CIT campuses’ throughout SHAG Week with free resources, friendly chats, and everything you need to know about hepatitis and liver health. Whether you want to learn more about the vaccine, grab free condoms, or just have a judgement-free chat, we are here for it and for you.
Let’s work together to keep sexual health on the agenda, fight stigma, and make hepatitis part of the conversation.