What is Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. There are two kinds of hepatitis B:

• Acute hepatitis B. This lasts for six months or less.
• Chronic hepatitis B. This lasts for more than six months. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver failure, scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), or liver cancer.

Acute hepatitis B can turn into chronic hepatitis B. Most adults with acute hepatitis B do not develop chronic hepatitis B. Infants and young children who get hepatitis B are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than adults. The hepatitis B vaccine can prevent this condition.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus may spread from person to person (is contagious) through:

• Blood.
• Childbirth. A woman who has hepatitis B can pass it to her baby during birth.
• Bodily fluids such as breast milk, tears, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Having contact with unclean (contaminated) needles or syringes. This may result from:
  • Acupuncture.
  • Tattooing.
  • Body piercing.
  • Injecting drugs.
• Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected.
• Living with or having close contact with a person who has hepatitis B.
• Working in a job that involves contact with blood or bodily fluids, such as health care.
• Traveling to a country that has many cases of hepatitis B.
• Being on treatment to filter your blood (kidney dialysis).
• Having a history of blood transfusions or organ transplants.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach pain.
• Dark yellow urine.
• Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Fever.
• Light-colored or gray bowel movements.
• Joint pain.

In some cases, you may not have any symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Blood tests.

How is this treated?

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include antiviral medicine. This medicine may help:

• Lower your risk of liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
• Lower your ability to infect others with hepatitis B.

You will need to avoid alcohol and medicines that can be hard for the liver to break down (metabolize). This helps prevent further injury to your liver.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antiviral medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antiviral even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen.
• Do not take any new medicines, including over-the-counter medicines for fever or pain, unless approved by your health care provider.

Activity

• Rest as needed.
• Do not have intercourse unless approved by your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider when you may return to school or work.

Eating and drinking

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lowfat (lean) meats or other non-meat proteins (such as beans or tofu).
• Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Avoid alcohol.

General instructions

• Do not share toothbrushes, nail clippers, or razors.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Get the hepatitis B vaccine. This helps prevent the hepatitis B infection.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Do not share needles or syringes.
• Practice safe sex and use condoms.
• Avoid handling blood or bodily fluids without gloves or other protection.
• Avoid getting tattoos or piercings in shops or other locations that are not clean.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You develop a rash.
• You develop jaundice, or your chronic jaundice becomes more severe.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You are unable to eat or drink.
• You have a fever along with nausea or vomiting.
• You feel confused.
• You have trouble breathing.
• Your skin, throat, mouth, or face becomes swollen.
• You have jerky movements that you cannot control (seizure).
• You become very sleepy or have trouble waking up.
• Your stomach becomes very swollen.

Summary

• Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. There are two kinds of hepatitis B: acute and chronic.
• The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be passed from person to person (is contagious).
• You should not take any new medicines, including over-the-counter medicines for fever or pain, unless approved by your health care provider.
• To help prevent hepatitis B, wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.