Hepatitis BHepatitis B is a viral infection. Each year thousands of people of all ages get infected and about 5000 people die of lifelong liver problems caused by Hepatitis B. Early symptoms are usually mild and may seem like the flu. The skin and the white part of the eyes can turn yellow. There is no cure. Transmission/How it is Spread: - Spread through contact with infected blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
- Commonly spread through oral, anal, or vaginal sex, and sharing needles among drug users.
- Can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy and birth.
Complications: - Chronic (life-long) infection increases the chance of getting liver damage, liver cancer, and liver failure.
Prevention: - Hepatitis B vaccine.
- Abstain from sexual activity.
- Faithful marriage or mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
- Latex condoms, when used the right way all the time, may reduce but do not eliminate the risk. There are no studies to show if latex condoms prevent hepatitis B.
Treatment/Cure: - There is no cure. There is no treatment for acute hepatitis B infection. Chronic (life-long) infections are treated with medicine.
- 90-95 percent of people infected with hepatitis B will fully recover. The other 5 percent become chronic (life-long) carriers and can be treated with medicine.
More: Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids. It can be spread from mother-to-child during birth. Most adults that become infected with hepatitis B will get rid of the virus on their own after a few months and recover completely. They become protected from a future infection with hepatitis B virus. However 1 out of 10 adults will never get rid of the virus from their bodies. They have chronic (life-long) hepatitis B and are called carriers. The hepatitis B virus attacks the liver. It can also cause liver damage that does not go away, and that may lead to liver cancer, which can cause death. Good medical care can decrease these risks so that most people do not die from complications of hepatitis B infection. Pregnant females infected with hepatitis B can spread it to their babies during delivery. Babies born to hepatitis B infected mothers can be given shots to prevent becoming infected. Unfortunately, most infants and children already infected with hepatitis B virus will be infected with the virus for the rest of their lives. There is a vaccine that protects against Hepatitis B. Most babies get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Many schools require it at school entry. Teens that have not yet gotten the vaccine as young children should get the vaccine. There is no cure for Hepatitis B. Good medical care can decrease the risk of dying from the complications of hepatitis B infection. Back to Common STDs Last revised: April 21, 2008 | 
