Diseases and Procedures

Hepatitis B

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Certain viruses can cause hepatitis. One is the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can lead to serious damage to your liver.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B infection can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B infection can quickly make you very sick. Symptoms can include:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Flulike symptoms (tiredness, weakness, headache, sore muscles and joints)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Jaundice (yellowed skin or eyes, swelling of the abdomen, light stools, dark urine)
• People with chronic hepatitis B often have no symptoms. They may not know they have the virus until it causes liver disease later.

Diagnosis
Hepatitis B is diagnosed through blood tests. A medical evaluation including many other tests may also be done. This helps find any liver damage.

TREATMENT

Acute hepatitis B symptoms usually go away. Follow your doctor's instructions for follow-up to be sure the virus is gone. If you develop chronic hepatitis B, you can help your body fight it. Your doctor may tell you to:

• Avoid acetaminophen and other over-the-counter pain relievers. Ask your doctor before taking any medications. Some can further damage your liver.
• Avoid alcohol. It may further damage to your liver.
• Eat a balanced diet. A diet low in fat, high in fiber, and full of fresh fruits and vegetables helps you maintain your health.
• Keep your appointments. Checkups with your doctor help monitor your liver.
• Get injections if prescribed. If your infection becomes chronic, your doctor may prescribe injections of an antiviral agent. This medication may reduce the amount of virus in your body. It may help prevent further damage to your liver.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

A vaccine may prevent Hepatisis B in people who don't yet have it. Ask any sex partners and anyone who lives with you to get tested and vaccinated. If you have hepatitis B, follow these guidelines to keep from giving the virus to others.

Do

• Use condoms each time you have sex. Cover all skin breaks and sores. If someone helps you, have them wear protective gloves.

Don't

• Don't donate blood, plasma, sperm, or body organs or tissue.
• Don't share needles.
• Don't share razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, eating utensils, or other personal items.
• Don't get tattoos or body piercings.

A DANGEROUS VIRUS

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). A person infected with HBV can spread it to others.

How HBV Spreads
HBV is spread through blood and other body fluids. You can get hepatitis B infection from:

• Sharing a needle with an infected person
• Having unprotected sex with an infected person.
• Using infected person's eating utensils or personal care items such as a razor, toothbrush, or nail clippers.

Hepatitis B Has Two Stages
HBV can make you very sick right away. This is acute hepatitis. You may need to go to the hospital during this stage. Once the symptoms go away, you likely will feel fine. Most of the time, the virus dies off after this stage. But if the virus stays in your body, you have chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis almost never causes symptoms. Even so, you can spread the virus to others. The virus can also damage your liver. Liver problems such as cirrhosis (scarring) and cancer may develop.