Hepatitis B
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hepatitis) is a liver disease
caused by a virus. The disease is fairly common; more than 2,000 cases
are reported in New York State each year.
Who gets hepatitis B?
Anyone can get hepatitis B, but those at greater risk include:
- drug abusers who share needles;
- certain health care workers who have contact with infected blood;
- homosexual males, particularly those with multiple partners;
- people in custodial care (in settings such as developmental centers);
- hemodialysis patients;
- certain household contacts of an infected person;
- infants born to mothers who are hepatitis B carriers.
How is the virus spread?
Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood and, to a lesser extent,
saliva, semen and other body fluids of an infected person. It is spread
by direct contact with infected body fluids; usually by needle stick
injury or sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by casual
contact.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
The symptoms of hepatitis B include fatigue, poor appetite, fever,
vomiting and occasionally joint pain, hives or rash. Urine may become
darker in color, and then jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites
of the eyes) may appear. Some individuals may experience few or no symptoms.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The symptoms may appear two to six months after exposure, but usually
within three months.
For how long is a person able to spread the virus?
The virus can be found in blood and other body fluids several weeks
before symptoms appear and generally persists for several months afterward.
Approximately 10 percent of infected people may become long-term carriers
of the virus.
What is the treatment for hepatitis B?
There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to
treat a person once the symptoms appear. Generally, bed rest is all
that is needed.
What precautions should hepatitis B carriers take?
Hepatitis B carriers should follow standard hygienic practices to
ensure that close contacts are not directly contaminated by his or her
blood or other body fluids. Carriers must not share razors, toothbrushes
or any other object that may become contaminated with blood. In addition,
susceptible household members, particularly sexual partners, should
be immunized with hepatitis B vaccine. It is important for carriers
to inform their dentist and health care providers.
How can hepatitis B be prevented?
A vaccine to prevent hepatitis B has been available for several years.
It is safe, effective and is recommended for people in high-risk settings
who have not already been infected and infants who are born to mothers
who are carrying the virus. It is also recommended that hepatitis B
vaccine be universally administered to all children along with their
routine childhood immunizations beginning at birth or two months of
age. A special hepatitis B immune globulin is also available for people
who are exposed to the virus. In the event of exposure to hepatitis
B, consult a doctor or the local health department.
Updated: April 1996
Source: NY State Department of Health
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