An Overview of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a liver disease that is caused by infection with a virus. This virus can lead to long-term complications of the liver.

Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact with a person who is infected. When the virus is in the bloodstream of on person and enters the bloodstream of someone who isn’t infected, they risk developing the disease. It can also be transmitted from person to person when sharing needles and in some cases an infected mother can transfer the illness to her baby.

The symptoms of Hepatitis B vary depending on the individual with some people having absolutely no symptoms at all.

If symptoms are present they can include:

* Feeling listless.

* A loss of appetite.

* Feeling queasy.

* Discolored urine.

* Joint pain.

Although some of these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, if you have been participating in unprotected sex or sharing needles, there exists a real possibility that you have become exposed and are infected with Hepatitis B.

On average over 70,000 people in the United States will become infected with Hepatitis B every year. Of those cases approximately 5,000 people will die as a result.

There is a vaccine available for Hepatitis B and doctors recommend that if you fall into one of the following groups you should consider receiving the vaccination.

If you are:

* A parent of an infant, consider having your child vaccinated against Hepatitis B at birth.

* A parent of a child under the age of 18 should consider having their child vaccinated as soon as possible.

* In an intimate relationship with someone who has Hepatitis B you should be first tested and then vaccinated.

* If you share needles with others. This is a very high risk behavior and receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended.

Hepatitis B can be treated but it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible after exposure.

[ Print This Page ]