Hepatitis b

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver and can cause a range of health problems, including liver disease and liver cancer. It is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.

Causes

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood or body fluids. This can occur through sexual contact, sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment, or from mother to baby at birth.

Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis B do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur, they can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a blood test. The test looks for parts of the virus (antigens) in the blood, as well as antibodies produced in response to the virus.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. However, chronic hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral medications. This can slow the progression of cirrhosis, reduce incidence of liver cancer and improve long term survival.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a six-month period.

See also

• Hepatitis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis C
• Liver disease
• Liver cancer

Hepatitis b Resources
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