Hepatitis B
- What is hepatitis B?
-
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that infects the liver and causes inflammation. It is
one of the fastest spreading sexually transmitted
- diseases in the U.S., infecting 300,000 Americans each year. Most individuals infected
with the virus are adolescents and young
- adults.
- Ninety percent of people with hepatitis B recover. In up to 10 percent of cases people
infected with hepatitis B develop
- chronic hepatitis B and are infected for life. Chronic hepatitis can be fairly harmless,
or it may be progressive and lead to
- cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Chances of developing liver cancer are 200 times
higher if you are a chronic carrier. Damage
- to the liver cannot be reversed. People who are chronic carriers of the virus can
transmit it to others.
- There is no cure for Hepatitis B but a vaccine is available to prevent infection.
-
- How does it occur?
-
- Hepatitis B is very infectious. When the virus enters the bloodstream it begins to
invade the liver cells, disrupting normal liver
- function. The disease can be spread through the use of contaminated syringes, needles,
or unsterilized instruments including
- needles for steroid injections and body piercing. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted if
you are exposed to infected blood
- through cuts, open sores, or mucous membranes (mouth or vagina) and through semen,
vaginal secretions, and rarely saliva.
- The more partners with whom you have vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, the higher your
risk of becoming infected with
- hepatitis B.
-
- What are the symptoms?
-
- Symptoms of hepatitis B may appear as long as 4 weeks to 6 months after infection with
the virus. Many people develop a
- chronic or ongoing form of the disease with only vague symptoms even though liver damage
may be occurring.
- Early symptoms of viral hepatitis include:
- low-grade fever
- itching hives
- general achiness
- fatigue
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- foul breath and bitter taste in the mouth
- loss of appetite, altered sense of taste and smell
- pain or tenderness just below the ribs on the right side, especially when pressure is
applied
- Symptoms that may follow several days later include:
- darkened urine
- light colored or gray stool
- yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)
-
- How is it diagnosed?
-
- In addition to a brief physical examination the health care provider may use blood and
urine tests. A biopsy may be necessary
- to diagnose chronic hepatitis.
-
- How is it treated?
-
- There is no cure for hepatitis B. Rest and a high protein diet is usually recommended to
help repair damaged cells and a high
- carbohydrate diet to protect the liver. Your health care provider will manage symptoms
as they occur.
-
- How long will the effects last?
-
- Symptoms generally last 1 to 8 weeks and are usually followed by a slow but complete
recovery. It may take 6 months before
- the liver functions normally again.
- What can be done to prevent the spread of hepatitis B if I am infected?
- Hepatitis B is highly contagious for 4 to 6 weeks before symptoms appear and continues
to be contagious for a short time
- afterward. Your provider will want to see you for a follow-up exam. Then he or she will
perform blood tests to determine if
- hepatitis B is still contagious.
-
- To avoid spreading the disease to others:
-
- be careful about cleanliness and personal hygiene
- clean any blood stains with a disinfectant
- avoid sharing needles, razor blades, and toothbrushes with others
- do not donate blood
- inform partner of your infection
- always use a condom for anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse
- bandage all cuts and open sores
- ask your health care provider about getting the safe, effective vaccine for hepatitis B
-
- How can I protect myself?
-
- A safe, effective vaccine is available for hepatitis B and is strongly recommended for
all adolescents.
- If you have anal or vaginal intercourse, always use a condom.