Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is spread in infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. Though more prevalent than HIV, rates of hepatitis B continue to decline primarily due to increased use of HBV vaccine.

Up to 95% of hepatitis B patients recover immediately within a few months, developing an immunity that lasts a lifetime. The remaining carriers of the disease can transmit it to others even when their own symptoms have vanished. Carriers should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, tissue, or sperm and should inform their physicians, dentist, and sex partner as this is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Symptoms

An estimated 30% of those infected with Hepatitis B do not have any symptoms at all. If symptoms do occur, it is generally 1-6 months after exposure. Symptoms may include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and/or a brownish or orange tint to the urine)
• Unusually light colored stool
• Unexplained fatigue that persists for weeks or months
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
• Abdominal pain

People with chronic active hepatitis experience similar symptoms with fatigue that is more severe, and they can have confusion or disorientation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Hepatitis B is confirmed by blood tests that detect the virus. Treatment shortly after exposure includes immediate immunization with the Hepatitis B vaccination and a shot to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. If treatment is sought later, after getting sick, bed rest is required to speed recovery. Alcohol should be avoided. Check with your doctor before taking Tylenol or any other medications, herbal remedies, or supplements as some of them can worsen liver damage. If chronic active hepatitis persists beyond 6 months, your doctor may prescribe much more aggressive treatment with a combination of drugs including Interferon, Epivir and Adefovir dipivoxil (Hespera).

Possible Complications

Some carriers go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, an ongoing infection of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis or hardening of the liver, which causes liver tissue to scar and stop working. Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. If your disease becomes chronic, liver biopsies (tissue samples) may be obtained to detect the severity of the disease.

A pregnant woman can spread the hepatitis virus to her baby at the time of birth. Many babies infected with hepatitis B develop long-term liver problems. Vaccinating newborn babies for hepatitis is recommended.

Prevention

The best way to prevent contraction of Hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for:

• All newborn babies
• Those exposed to infected blood or body fluids or friends or family members
• Those who use needles to take drugs or for other reasons like body piercing
• Those who have multiple sex partners
• Health care providers who may come in contact with the virus.
• Those who care for children, the elderly and prisoners.

It is also recommended that you:

• Use condoms every time you have sex
• Wear gloves when touching or cleaning up body fluids of any kind
• Cover open cuts or wounds
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes, manicuring tools, or pierced earrings
• Do not share chewing gum or pre-chew food for a baby
• Properly sterilize needles for drugs, ear piercing, or tattooing
• Clean up blood with 1 part household bleach and 10 parts water

Additional information is available from the Hepatitis B Foundation.