Hepatitis 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.
Below are answers to questions about Hepatitis B.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Is there a cure for Hepatitis B?
If I have Hepatitis B, how can I prevent spreading it?
How can I avoid getting Hepatitis B?
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:
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:
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 are infected:
Whether or not you have Hepatitis B:
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:
Updated: 5/27/2009
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