Orange County Health Dept, FL

>General Health >Epidemiology >Hepatitis Prevention >Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Virus is one of a family of related DNA viruses that affect the liver. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or sharing needles. It can also be transmitted from mother to newborn during vaginal childbirth.

People at risk include:

Household contact with chronically infected persons
Having multiple sex partners
Men who have sex with men
Injection drug users
Persons from regions of the world with higher prevalence of Hepatitis B including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.

Signs & Symptoms: are less common in children than adults, however no symptoms may occur.

Jaundice (over a period of 3-10 days)
Fever
Body weakness or discomfort
Headaches
Muscle pains
Poor appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Right upper abdominal pain
Skin rashes
Joint pain or arthritis
Dark urine
Light or gray stools
Tender or enlarged liver

Complications & Consequences:

In most adults acute Hepatitis B results in a complete recovery
Serious Hepatitis occurs in 1% - 2% of people with a mortality rate of 63% - 93%
Cirrhosis of liver
Drinking alcohol can make your liver disease worse
Hepatocelluar Carcinoma (Blood Cancer)
About 10% of all acute HBV infections progress to chronic Hepatitis B
For infants who acquired Hepatitis B at birth about 90% progress to chronic Hepatitis B
Death

Prevention:

Hepatitis B vaccine
Appropriate use of latex condoms and barriers
Hepatitis B testing during pregnancy
Avoid use of injection drugs, shared needles, syringes, water, or drugs
If you have Hepatitis B, do not donate blood organs or tissue
Do not share personal items that may have blood on them (razors, toothbrushes ...etc.)

Vaccine Recommendations:

Routine vaccination of newborns to 18 year olds
Men who have sex with men
Heterosexuals with multiple sex partners
Prostitutes
Injection drug users
Persons diagnosed with STD
Persons receiving dialysis
Healthcare workers