What causes hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus.
A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other.
The virus that causes hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus.
How could I get hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid.
You could get hepatitis B by
- having sex with an infected person without using a condom
- sharing drug needles
- having a tattoo or body piercing done with dirty tools that were used on someone else
- getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (health care workers can get hepatitis B this way)
- living with someone who has hepatitis B
- sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person
- traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common
An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth or through her breast milk.
You can NOT get hepatitis B by
- shaking hands with an infected person
- hugging an infected person
- sitting next to an infected person
What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis B can make you feel like you have the flu.
You might
- feel tired
- feel sick to your stomach
- have a fever
- not want to eat
- have stomach pain
- have diarrhea
Some people have
- dark yellow urine
- light-colored stools
- yellowish eyes and skin
Some people don't have any symptoms.
If you have symptoms or think you might have hepatitis B, go to a doctor.
What are the tests for hepatitis B?
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| The doctor will take some blood to check for hepatitis B. |
To check for hepatitis B, the doctor will test your blood.
These tests show if you have hepatitis B and how serious it is.
The doctor may also do a liver biopsy.
A biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks
the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis B and liver damage.
How is hepatitis B treated?
Hepatitis B is treated through shots of medicine.
Treatment for hepatitis B may involve.
A drug called interferon (in-ter-FEAR-on). It is given through shots. Most people are treated for 4 months.
A drug called lamivudine (la-MIV-you-deen). You take it by mouth once a day. Treatment is usually for one year.
A drug called adefovir dipivoxil (uh-DEH-foh-veer dih-pih-VOX-ill). You take it by mouth once a day. Treatment
is usually for one year.
Surgery. Over time, hepatitis B may cause your liver to stop working. If that happens, you will need a new liver.
The surgery is called a liver transplant. It involves taking out the old, damaged liver and putting in a new, healthy one
from a donor.
How can I protect myself?
You can get the hepatitis B vaccine.
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| Vaccines protect you from getting hepatitis B. |
A vaccine is a drug that you take when you are healthy that keeps you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack
certain viruses, like the hepatitis B virus.
The hepatitis B vaccine is given through three shots. All babies should get the vaccine. Infants get the first shot within
12 hours after birth. They get the second shot at age 1 to 2 months and the third shot between ages 6 and 18 months.
Older children and adults can get the vaccine, too. They get three shots over 6 months. Children who have not had the vaccine
should get it.
Employees who have
routine exposure to bloodborne pathogens (such as doctors, nurses, first aid responders, etc) shall be offered the Hepatitis
B vaccine series at no cost to themselves unless:
- They have previously received the vaccine series
- Antibody testing has revealed they are immune
- The vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons
In these cases they
need not be offered the series.
Although
your employer must offer the vaccine to you, you do not have to accept that offer. You may opt to decline the vaccination
series, in which case you will be asked to sign a declination form. Even if you decline the initial
offer, you may choose to receive the series at anytime during your employment thereafter, for example, if you are
exposed on the job at a later date.
