Viral
Hepatitis B (HBV)
What
is HBV?
Hepatitis
B is a viral disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
that attacks the liver. It is a serious illness that can cause
lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver
cancer, liver failure and death.
How
do you get HBV?
Transmission
occurs when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters
the body of a person who is not immune. This can occur by having
sex with an infected person without using a condom, by sharing
needles when injecting illegal drugs, through needle sticks
on the job or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Other potential ways of coming in contact with HBV include
getting tattoos and piercings or sharing personal items. HBV
is not spread through food or water, by casual contacts
or by respiratory droplets.
Is
there a cure for Hepatitis B?
Medications
are available to treat chronic HBV infection. These work for
some people, but there is no cure for Hepatitis B once you
get it. Preventing disease is the most important.
Who is at risk for HBV?
Risk
groups include persons with multiple sex partners, men who
have sex with men, sexual contacts of infected persons, injection
drug users, household contacts of infected persons, hemodialysis
patients and healthcare and public safety workers.
What
are the symptoms of HBV?
Symptoms
include jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the
eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting,
and joint pain. Lifelong infection with resultant chronic liver
disease can develop.
How
can I protect myself from HBV?Immunization
with Hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective means of preventing
HBV infection. Other ways to protect yourself include using
a latex condom every time you have sex, not injecting illegal
drugs and not sharing personal care items (e.g. razors, toothbrushes)
that might have blood on them.
What is the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Hepatitis
B vaccine effectively prevents hepatitis B disease and its
serious consequences like liver cancer. Scientific data show
that the vaccine is very safe for infants, children, and adults.
Three doses over 6 months are commonly needed for complete
protection.
Who should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Everyone
18 years of age and younger; persons of any age whose behaviors
put them at risk for HBV infection and persons whose jobs expose
them to human blood should be vaccinated.
