Hepatitis B


What is it?

Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It is spread through infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Some people with hepatitis B are known as “carriers”; it means they don’t feel sick but they can pass it on to others. Other people feel very sick and can develop liver disease.


How do you get Hepatitis B?

• By coming into contact with infected blood (even infected blood on razors or toothbrushes).
• By having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who is already infected.
• Through oral sex with an infected partner.
• From mother to child during child birth.
• From sharing needles used for injecting drugs.

How do you avoid Hepatitis B?

• Abstain from sex.
• Limit how many sexual partners you have (less partners means you are less likely to get an STI).
• Think about your partner’s sexual history (if he or she has had a lot of partners, does not practise safer sex and/or uses needles to inject then it puts you at a higher risk).
• Use male and female condoms for vaginal and anal sex.
• Use dental dams for oral sex.
• Don’t share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes with an infected person.
• Don’t share needles used to inject drugs.
• Get vaccinated.

VACCINATION ALERT!
There is a vaccine against hepatitis B. In Alberta it is offered free to students in Grade 5 and other people who are deemed “high risk – check with your doctor to find out if you qualify for free immunization or not. Everyone else can get it (it’s a series of three shots) but depending on health coverage, may have to pay for it.


Symptoms

Hepatitis B can show up as a short-term (“acute”) infection or a long-term (“chronic”) infection.

An acute infection lasts up to six months and the infection is considered “chronic” if it lasts more than six months. Many people show no symptoms and their bodies develop immunities to the virus that help them fight it off. During the acute stage, you can transmit hepatitis B to another person. For some people that will be it – they will never develop chronic hepatitis and they won’t even be a carrier, which means they won’t pass it along. Even if your symptoms clear up you may still be infected so it is wise to get tested by your doctor to make sure you are not carrying the virus.

Other people’s bodies won’t fight off the virus and they will develop chronic hepatitis, which can go on to damage the liver. Chronic hepatitis carriers will have the virus all their lives and can pass it to others at any point.

Symptoms when a person is first infected they symptoms can include:
• Mild flu-like symptoms such as feeling tired, aching joints, loss of appetite, nausea and stomach pain.
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), though this is rare.

Symptoms when a person has chronic Hepatitis B can include:
• Liver scarring.
• Liver diseases.
• Liver cancer.

Testing

If you suspect you have been exposed to hepatitis B through infected blood or other bodily fluids, you need to take a blood test to find out.

Treatment

Most Hepatitis B infections clear up on their own (the acute ones). For people who develop chronic hepatitis B, there is no cure but there are medications you can take to slow down its spread and the development of liver disease. Check with your doctor about what medications are available.