What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
The virus can affect people of all ages. Once infected, some people carry the
virus their whole lives. This is called “chronic” infection and it can lead to
liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
The virus can affect people of all ages. Once infected, some people carry the
virus their whole lives. This is called “chronic” infection and it can lead to
liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death
Transmission
Hepatitis B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another bodily fluid from a
person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
This may be through a puncture in the skin, a shared needle, or the exchange of
body fluids.
Hepatitis B is transmitted when blood, semen, or another bodily fluid from a
person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
This may be through a puncture in the skin, a shared needle, or the exchange of
body fluids.
Infection
can happen:
* as an infected mother gives birth
* during sexual activity
* through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
* through unsafe tattoo techniques
* by sharing personal hygiene items such as razors or toothbrushes
can happen:
* as an infected mother gives birth
* during sexual activity
* through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
* through unsafe tattoo techniques
* by sharing personal hygiene items such as razors or toothbrushes
Health workers can be at risk if they are exposed to unsafe medical practices,
such as reusing medical equipment, not using personal protection, or incorrect
disposal of sharps. HBV is not spread through food or water, sharing eating
utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, sneezing,
or insects that bite.
However,
the virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. For most adults,
HBV is a short term illness that causes no permanent damage, but 2 to 6 percent
of adults infected will develop a chronic infection that can potentially lead
to liver cancer.
the virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. For most adults,
HBV is a short term illness that causes no permanent damage, but 2 to 6 percent
of adults infected will develop a chronic infection that can potentially lead
to liver cancer.
Around 90 percent of infants with the virus will develop chronic infection. There
is no cure for HBV, but immunization can prevent initial infection. Antiviral
medication can treat chronic infections
Symptoms
Some people get sick within the first six months after getting infected. The
symptoms of this “acute” hepatitis are loss of appetite, tiredness, stomach
ache, nausea, and vomiting. These people might also experience yellowing of the
whites of the eyes (jaundice) or joint pain. For some people, acute infection
leads to chronic infection. People with chronic HBV infection usually do not
feel sick for many years, but will have symptoms if they develop the most
serious complications from hepatitis B, like cirrhosis or liver cancer. A
person infected with the virus can pass it on to others even if he or she does
not feel sick
or show symptoms.
.
Prevention
Safe, effective hepatitis B vaccines are available since 1982. The vaccination
series is usually given as three doses over a six-month period. Hepatitis B
vaccine is the first anti-cancer vaccine because it prevents liver cancer
caused by chronic HBV infection
Who
should get hepatitis B vaccine?
* Adults with diabetes age 19 through 59 years. Vaccination can be considered
in those with diabetes who are age 60 and older.
* Sexually active adults who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship.
* People whose sex partners are infected with hepatitis B.
* Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
* Men who have sex with men.
* Current or recent injection-drug users.
* People who have close household contact with someone infected with
hepatitis B.
* Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood
or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job.
* People with chronic liver disease, end-stage kidney disease, or HIV
infection.
* Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled people.
* Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of hepatitis B infection.
* Anyone who wishes to be protected from hepatitis B infection.
should get hepatitis B vaccine?
* Adults with diabetes age 19 through 59 years. Vaccination can be considered
in those with diabetes who are age 60 and older.
* Sexually active adults who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship.
* People whose sex partners are infected with hepatitis B.
* Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
* Men who have sex with men.
* Current or recent injection-drug users.
* People who have close household contact with someone infected with
hepatitis B.
* Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood
or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job.
* People with chronic liver disease, end-stage kidney disease, or HIV
infection.
* Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled people.
* Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of hepatitis B infection.
* Anyone who wishes to be protected from hepatitis B infection.
Tests and diagnosis
A blood test can diagnose acute and chronic HBV infection. Screening is
available for people who have a higher risk of HBV infection or complications
due to undiagnosed HBV infection.
These include:
* infants born to mothers with HBV
* sex partners of infected persons
* sexually active individuals who engage in unprotected intercourse or have
multiple partners
* men who have sex with men
* injection drug users
* people who share a household with someone who has chronic HBV infection
* health care and public safety workers at risk from occupational
exposure, for example, to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids
* hemodialysis patients
* anyone receiving chemotherapy for cancer
* anyone coming from a region with a high incidence of HBV, including
some Asian countries
* all women during pregnancy
NB: If a woman has HBV during pregnancy, the newborn must be vaccinated and
receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 to 24 hours after birth.
