 |
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
 |
Administrative Offices 345 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 203.865.5158 Email Us! |
|
|
What is it? HBV is caused by a virus. Hepatitis B is very contagious. Although 90-95% of adults with HBV recover completely, the virus can cause severe liver disease and death. HBV is the only sexually transmitted infection that is preventable with vaccination, but about 77,000 Americans get HBV every year because they have not been vaccinated. There are now about 750,000 people with sexually acquired HBV in the U.S. Like many other viruses, HBV remains in the body for life. HBV may show no symptoms during its most contagious phases. If symptoms appear, they appear within 4 weeks of exposure. Pregnant women who may have been exposed to HBV should consider being tested before giving birth so that their babies can be vaccinated at birth or treated if they become ill. Unless they are treated within an hour of birth, 90% of the infants born to women with HBV will carry the virus. Condoms offer some protection against HBV during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse, but the virus can be passed through kissing and other intimate touching. Children and adults who are not infected with HBV can get permanent protection with a series of HBV vaccinations. Testing for HBV is done through a blood test.
How is it spread? HBV is present in semen, saliva, blood, and urine. It is passed from an infected person to another by intimate and sexual contact, including kissing. It is also spread through vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse as well as through sharing unclean needles to inject drugs. Healthcare workers are also at risk of contracting HBV through accidental sticks with contaminated needles.
Symptoms may include:
extreme fatigue, headache, fever, hives
lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in the lower abdomen
If left untreated, symptoms can eventually include:
Severe abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements
Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and white of the eye
How is it Treated?
There is no treatment for HBV. In most cases the infection clears within 4-8 weeks and the person may not be able to spread HBV to others. Some people, however, remain contagious for the rest of their lives.
