Hepatitis B
is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks the liver. The disease can cause a lifelong infection,
cirrhosis
of the liver,
liver cancer, liver failure, and death.
HBV is spread through the blood of an infected person. It can be spread during sex without a condom, by sharing drugs or needles, through needle sticks or exposure to sharp objects at a jobsite, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
It is estimated that 1-in-20 people in the United States will get infected with HBV sometime during his or her life. Certain factors increase the risk of developing hepatitis B, including:
- Having sex with someone infected with HBV
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Shooting drugs
- Having male homosexual sex
- Living in the same house as someone with chronic hepatitis B
- Coming in contact with human blood
- Working in the home of someone who is developmentally disabled
-
Having
hemophilia
- Traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common
- Having parents born in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Amazon Basin in South America, the Pacific Islands, or the Middle East
About 30% of people with hepatitis B will not have symptoms. For people who do, symptoms may include:
-
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (
jaundice
)
- Fatigue that lasts for weeks or even months
- Abdominal pain in the area of the liver (upper right side)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine and light-colored stool
- Widespread itching
- Rash
Symptoms generally occur about 12 weeks after exposure to the virus, but can occur anywhere from 9-21 weeks after exposure. Most hepatitis B infections clear up within 1-2 months without treatment. But when an infection lasts more than six months, it can develop into chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to serious complications, even death.
Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral drugs.
The hepatitis B vaccine is produced by inserting a gene for HBV into yeast. The yeast is then grown, harvested, and purified. The vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle and should be stored in the refrigerator prior to administration.
Everyone age 18 and younger and adults over the age of 18 who are at risk should get the hepatitis B vaccine. Adults who are at risk include:
- People who have had more than one sex partner in six months
- Men who have sex with other men
- Sex partners of infected people
- People who inject illegal drugs
- Healthcare and public safety workers who might be exposed to HBV-infected blood or body fluids
- Those living with people with chronic HBV infection
- Hemodialysis patients
People should receive three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. An infant whose mother is infected with the virus should receive the first dose within 12 hours of birth, the second at 1-2 months of age, and the third at six months of age. Infants whose mother is not infected with the virus should receive the first dose from birth to two months of age, the second at 1-4 months of age (at least one month after the first dose), and the third at 6-18 months of age.
Older children and adults should receive the first dose at any time, the second 1-2 months after the first, and the third 4-6 months after the first.
All vaccines are capable of causing serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. But most people who get the hepatitis B vaccine do not have any problems with it.
Some people may experience mild problems associated with the vaccine, including soreness where the shot was given and mild to moderate fever.
Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to baker's yeast or to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine should not get the vaccine. Also, people who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting vaccinated.
Other than getting the hepatitis B vaccine, the best methods of preventing an HBV infection are to have safe sex, get a blood test for hepatitis B if you are pregnant, avoid shooting drugs, avoid using other people's personal care items that may have blood on them (eg, razors, toothbrushes), consider risks before getting a tattoo or body piercing, and follow safety precautions when handling needles or other sharp objects.
In the event of a hepatitis B outbreak, all susceptible people should be offered the hepatitis B vaccine if they are eligible for it.
