What is hepatitis b?

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. It spreads through infected blood, semen, and other body fluids during sexual contact. It can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. It also can spread when people share needles to inject drugs or share things that may have blood on them. These include razors and toothbrushes. Needles used for tattoos, body piercing, or acupuncture can spread the disease if they are not cleaned the right way.

After you get the virus, it may be months before you see symptoms. You may never notice them. You can give the disease to other people before and after you have symptoms.

Hepatitis B can make you tired. It can cause a fever, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, and dark urine. Your skin or eyes may look yellow. This is called jaundice.

Most people get better in several weeks, but it can take several months. For some people the virus stays in their bodies. If the virus stays in your body for a long time, it can cause serious liver disease. After you have had the virus and feel better, you will not get it again.

Most adults who get hepatitis B have it for a short time and then get better. Sometimes the disease lasts a long time. Having this disease for a long time can damage your liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. After you've had hepatitis B and recovered, you won't get it again.

Most people who get hepatitis B do not have symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may just feel like you have the flu. Symptoms usually start to go away in 2 to 3 weeks and may include:

• Fatigue.
• A fever.
• Headaches.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Light-colored stools.
• Dark urine.
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).

Treatment depends on how active the virus is and if you are at risk for liver damage, such as cirrhosis. For short-term (acute) hepatitis B, you may get a shot of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and the hepatitis B vaccine. For long-term (chronic) hepatitis B, you may get antiviral medicine.

The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. The vaccine is a series of 2, 3, or 4 shots. Adults ages 19 to 59 and all babies, children, and teenagers should be vaccinated. Adults ages 60 and older who have not had this vaccine series may need this shot when their job, travel, health condition, or lifestyle increases their risk of exposure.

A combination vaccine that protects against both hepatitis B and hepatitis A also is available.

To avoid getting or spreading the virus to others:

• Use a condom when you have sex.
• Don't share needles.
• Wear disposable gloves if you have to touch blood.
• Don't share toothbrushes or razors.
• Don't get a tattoo. Or, if you do, make sure that the needles used have been cleaned properly and are sterile.

Medical experts recommend that all pregnant women get tested for hepatitis B. If you have the virus, your baby can get shots to help prevent infection with the virus.

Your doctor will diagnose hepatitis B based on a physical exam and blood tests. You will also be asked about your past health. This includes possible risks for the virus, such as your job and sexual activity.

Blood tests include:

• Hepatitis B antigens and antibodies. These tests help tell if you are or were infected with the virus. They also can show if you've been immunized and if you have long-term (chronic) infection. You also may get tested for the virus's genetic material (HBV DNA).
• Tests to see if the hepatitis A, hepatitis C, or Epstein-Barr viruses are causing your hepatitis.
• Tests to see if you also are infected with hepatitis D.

Blood tests may also be done to help find out if your liver has been damaged.

Reduce your activity level to match your energy level. Avoid alcohol for as long as your doctor tells you to. Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you take. Don't take any new medicines unless your doctor says it's okay.

Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood and body fluids from an infected person. For example, the virus can be spread:

• Through infected blood, semen, and other body fluids during sexual contact.
• When people share needles to inject drugs.
• When an infected person shares items that may have blood on them. Examples are a razor or toothbrush.
• When needles used for tattoos, body piercing, or acupuncture are not cleaned properly.

People who handle blood may become infected with the virus. For example, health care workers may get the virus when they treat an infected person.

A mother who has the virus can pass it to her baby during the birth. If you are pregnant and think you may have been exposed to hepatitis B, get tested. If you have the virus, your baby can be given shots to help prevent getting the virus.

You can’t get hepatitis B from casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks.

Certain things can increase your risk for being infected with hepatitis B. These include:

• Handling blood or body fluids.
• Living in parts of the world where hepatitis B is common.
• Being a man who has sex with men.
• Living with someone who has a chronic hepatitis B infection.
• Getting body piercings or tattoos using needles that weren't cleaned the right way.
• Sharing needles or other things (such as cotton, spoons, and water) to inject drugs.
• Being born to a woman who has hepatitis B. But breastfeeding doesn't spread the virus to a child.
• Having a blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia, that requires you to receive clotting factors from human donors.
• Having severe kidney disease that requires you to have your blood filtered through a machine. (This is called hemodialysis.)

The condition is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It's spread through contact with blood and body fluids from an infected person.

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most people who get it have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis B.

Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your liver. Babies and young children infected with the virus are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B.

You can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu. As long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others.