subject: What is Hepatitis B? [print this page] Hepatitis B is a contagious disease that attacks the liver, and is the result of infection with the Hepatitis B virus. The severity of symptoms for Hepatitis B ranges from a mild illness that may only last several weeks, to a serious, permanent condition. Hepatitis B infection can be an "acute" or "chronic" illness:
Acute Hepatitis B: A short-term illness that normally manifests within the first 6 months exposure. It is possible for a Hepatitis B infection to progress from acute to chronic.
Chronic Hepatitis B: A permanent, long-term condition that can occur when the Hepatitis B virus remains in an infected person's body.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B, if they appear, can vary widely. These acute symptoms can include:
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea / Vomiting
Pain in the stomach / abdomen
Dark urine
Clay-colored bowels
Joint pain
Jaundice (yellowish coloring in the skin and/or the eyes)
What are the statistics for Hepatitis B?
In 2006, there were an estimated 46,000 new Hepatitis B virus infections in the United States. However, the official number of reported Hepatitis B cases is much lower than the actual number of infected people. Many people may not have symptoms and don't know they are infected, therefore never seeking the attention of medical or public health officials.
How common is chronic Hepatitis B in the US?
In the United States, an estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million persons have chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
The Hepatitis B infection is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid that is infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus during activities such as:
Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments
Who is at increased risk for Hepatitis B?
Although anyone can get hepatitis B, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:
Have sex with an infected person
Have multiple sex partners
Have a sexually transmitted disease
Are men who have sexual contact with other men
Inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
Live with a person who has chronic hepatitis B
Are infants born to infected mothers
Have multiple sex partners
Are exposed to blood on the job
Are Hemodialysis patients
Travel to countries with moderate to high rates of hepatitis B
How do I prevent Hepatitis B from happening to me?
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period. Most residents of the United States are now required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B before attending college. If you have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B you do not need any further Hepatitis B testing.
Can you get tested for Hepatitis B?
Yes - there are many different blood tests available to diagnose hepatitis B. Since Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) is a protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus, it can be detected in the blood during acute or chronic Hepatitis B virus infection. getSTDtested.com offers a blood test for Hepatitis B, which you can test for at any of our over 2,000 local medical centers across the US.
How soon do symptoms of Hepatitis B appear after infection?
For most, Hepatitis B symptoms appear 90 days (or 3 months) after exposure, but symptoms can appear any time between 6 weeks and 6 months after exposure to the Hepatitis B virus.
Is there a vaccine or treatment for Hepatitis B?
Yes, there is a vaccine.
The Hepatitis B vaccine series is a sequence of shots that stimulate a person's natural immune system to protect against HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). After the vaccine is given, the body makes antibodies that protect a person against the virus. An antibody is a substance found in the blood that is produced in response to a virus invading the body. These antibodies are then stored in the body and will fight off the infection if a person is exposed to the hepatitis B virus in the future.
Who should be vaccinated for Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B vaccination is CDC recommended for:
All infants, starting with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth
All children & adolescents younger than 19 years of age old who have not been vaccinated
People whose sex partners have hepatitis B
Sexually active persons not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship
Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease
Men who have sexual contact with other men
People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
People with 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 end-stage renal disease, including predialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients
Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of hepatitis B
People with chronic liver disease
People with HIV infection
Anyone who wishes to be protected from hepatitis B virus infection
In order to reach individuals at risk for hepatitis B, vaccination is also recommended for anyone in or seeking treatment from the following:
Sexually transmitted disease treatment facilities
HIV testing and treatment facilities
Facilities providing drug-abuse treatment and prevention services
Healthcare settings targeting services to injection drug users
Healthcare settings targeting services to men who have sex with men
Chronic hemodialysis facilities and end-stage renal disease programs
Correctional facilities
Institutions & nonresidential day care facilities for the developmentally disabled
When should someone get the Hepatitis B vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine for Children and Adolescents: All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the vaccine series by 6-18 months of age. All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. "Catch-up" vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents who were never vaccinated or who did not get the entire vaccine series.
The hepatitis B vaccine for Adults: Any adult who is at risk for hepatitis B virus infection or who wants to be vaccinated should talk to a health professional about getting the vaccine series.
While we recommend everyone get vaccinated for Hepatitis B after testing negative, at this time we can only offer the Hepatitis B Test and not the vaccine. Get tested today!
