THE county council is warning people about the dangers of contracting viral hepatitis.
The disease often has no symptoms and can lead to liver cancer – the second biggest cancer killer .
Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are passed on when infected blood from one person enters the bloodstream of another.
Jonathan Gribbin is public health consultant at Nottinghamshire County Council. He said: "Infection can have severe long term consequences. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid risky behaviours such as injecting drugs or having unprotected sex with multiple partners.
"Treatments are available, so it is essential that anyone who thinks they may have been at risk, even if it was a long time ago and even if they don't have any symptoms, should seek advice from a doctor or health professional. For people at high risk of hepatitis B, a vaccine is available."
The council is currently producing an assessment of local health needs relating to hepatitis B and C.
Many people with chronic hepatitis B in the UK acquired the infection overseas at birth or during childhood overseas.
Injecting drugs and having unprotected sex are the main causes of hepatitis B infection in the UK.