Pamela Au/ShutterstockNews that a health worker at a Sydney hospital’s birth unit was infectious with hepatitis B for more than a decade has led to a health alert for mothers and babies.The staff member worked at Nepean Hospital’s birth unit in Western Sydney while infectious with hepatitis B between 2013 and 2024.Authorities say 223 women are in the process of being informed they and 143 of their children are at low risk of exposure.
The local health district says it is not aware of any patients who had tested positive to hepatitis B as a result.Only patients who have had certain invasive procedures are included in the health alert.So what is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is a viral infectionThe hepatitis B virus infects liver cells and is not to be confused with other types of hepatitis viruses, including the better known hepatitis A and C.
The virus is spread by bodily fluids, such as blood, and enters the body though penetrated skin or mucous membranes such as the mouth, genitals or eyes.This means the virus is most commonly spread by people having unprotected sex, from mother to baby, or by using shared items such as needles or hygiene products. The virus can survive outside the body for at least seven days.
In rare cases, hepatitis B has been known to spread from a health-care worker to a patient during certain medical procedures. This is when the health-care worker may injure themselves and expose their patients to their blood.Symptoms of acute infections include fever, lo.
