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Girls' VersionHepatitis B
Hepatitis B, called HBV (Hepatitis B virus) is a virus that infects the liver. The liver helps digest food and keeps your blood healthy. Hepatitis B can be prevented by a vaccine, so talk to your health care provider about whether you have had all your shots.
How is Hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B can live in all body fluids, but it's mostly spread through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. The virus can also live in body fluids such as saliva, tears, and breast milk. You can get infected by:
- Having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected person
- Sharing things like razors, toothbrushes, and nail clippers with someone who is infected
- Sharing needles to inject drugs
- Using non-sterile needles or equipment to do tattooing, ear piercing, or acupuncture
A mother infected with Hepatitis B can also pass the virus on to her baby during childbirth.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Many people infected with the Hepatitis B virus do not have symptoms; others are very ill with the disease. Most people who get Hepatitis B become immune, which means that they are protected against future infections of Hepatitis B. Others get the virus and never become immune. They are called “carriers” and can continue to pass the virus to others, even years later. If you do get infected, it can take 6 weeks to 6 months for symptoms to appear. Many people with Hepatitis B have flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can include:
- Tiredness/no energy
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Aching muscles or joints
- Stomach pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored bowel movements (stools)
- Tender, swollen liver (found during exam by health care provider)
How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?
Hepatitis B is diagnosed by a blood test done by your health care provider.
Is there a cure for Hepatitis B?
No, there isn't a cure for Hepatitis B. But most people recover and have no symptoms after 6 months. Treatment involves getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol. Your health care provider will check to make sure your liver is working normally by doing a liver function test on a blood sample.
Some people carry the virus without symptoms and can pass it on to others. Hepatitis B can also cause symptoms that last for a long time, and can cause permanent liver disease, including cancer of the liver.
If I have Hepatitis B, how can I prevent spreading it?
If you're infected:
- Do not have sex and do not have close contact (ex.: kissing) with anyone until your health care provider says it's okay.
- Make sure you tell all current and past sexual partners that you have Hepatitis B, since you could have infected them. Encourage them to see their health care provider as soon as possible to get tested and talk about getting gamma globulin and a vaccine to protect against Hepatitis B. Everyone should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
Whether or not you have Hepatitis B:
- Don't share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes. You can have Hepatitis B and not even know it and be able to pass it on to others.
- Use condoms to lessen your risk of STDs and hepatitis.
How can I avoid getting Hepatitis B?
Your best protection against Hepatitis B is a vaccine. It is given in 3 separate shots. You need all of them for the vaccine to work best. Most people get the vaccine as a baby, but check your health records and make sure you have gotten all your shots. You can also lower your risk of getting Hepatitis B by not having sexual intercourse, or by using a latex condom if you do have sex. If you find out that your partner has Hepatitis B, check with your health care provider to find out if you need a gamma globulin shot and/or the vaccine.
You can also lower your risk of getting Hepatitis B by not:
- Sharing needles or syringes
- Sharing instruments used in ear piercing, tattooing, and hair removal
- Sharing toothbrushes or razors
Updated: 5/27/2009
