This pamphlet will:

Explain hepatitis B Discuss who is at higher risk of infection Tell you how to protect yourself against the virus

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a type of hepatitis virus that attacks and damages the liver—an organ located at the upper-right side of the abdomen. The liver cleanses the body of waste. It breaks down and filters out any harmful substances that you consume. The liver also makes bile, which helps you to digest food.

Infection with hepatitis B can damage the liver over time and lead to cirrhosis of the liver. With this condition, cells of the liver die and are replaced by scar tissue. Over time, the liver stops working. Hepatitis B is also the most common cause of liver cancer.

A person may be infected with the hepatitis B virus and not know it—sometimes the virus does not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Headache
• Stomachache
• Muscle aches

However, in about 5-10% of infected adults (and in many children under age 5), the infection never clears up completely—this is known as chronic infection. These people keep the virus for the rest of their lives and are known as carriers. They may not always have symptoms. About 1 million people in the United States are carriers of the hepatitis B virus. All carriers can pass the virus to others.

How Is It Spread?

Hepatitis B is spread by direct contact with the body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) of an infected person. This can happen during sexual intercourse, while sharing needles used to inject ("shoot") drugs, and during delivery of a baby. Hepatitis B can also be spread if you live with an infected person and share household items that may transmit body fluids, like toothbrushes or razors.

Hepatitis B cannot be spread by casual contact with people and objects. Casual contact includes shaking hands, sharing food or drink, or coughing and sneezing.

Who Is at Risk?

Anyone can get hepatitis B virus. Your risk is higher if you:

• Were born to a mother infected with hepatitis B virus
• Live with or have sex with an infected person
• Have sex with more than one partner
• Inject drugs
• Work in a job that involves contact with human blood
• Receive blood products

If any of these risk factors apply to you or your partner, ask your doctor about being tested and about ways to protect against the infection.

A simple blood test can show whether you are infected with the hepatitis B virus and can pass it to others. If you test positive, it is important for you to take certain steps to avoid passing the infection to others:

• Do not donate blood or plasma or arrange to be an organ donor.
• Do not share toothbrushes or razors or other objects that could be in touch with blood.
• Tell sex partners—past and present—and the people you live with.

Prevention

There is no cure for hepatitis B—it is best to take steps to prevent it. You can help prevent it by avoiding the risky habits that can pass the virus.

The best protection against hepatitis B, however, is a vaccine. The vaccine triggers your body's immune system to fight off the virus when you are exposed to it. It is usually given in three doses. The vaccine is recommended for:

• All babies, children, and adolescents ages 18 years and under
• Anyone at high risk

People who have been recently exposed to the virus and are not vaccinated are usually given the vaccine along with a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin. Hepatitis B immune globulin contains antibodies to the virus. It gives temporary protection (about 3-6 months) against hepatitis B.

There are also lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of getting the virus:

• Use a latex condom during sex.
• Practice "safer" sex (know your partner's sexual history and have only one sexual partner).
• If you are injecting drugs, get help and try to stop—if you can't stop, do not share needles.

Concerns for Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, you should be tested for hepatitis B. Pregnant women who are infected with hepatitis B can pass the infection to their babies. The babies can get sick or be carriers.

Today, all newborn babies in the United States should be given the hepatitis B vaccine. Babies who are vaccinated against hepatitis B are protected against becoming infected.

Finally...

Hepatitis B is a serious infection that attacks and damages the liver. To lower your chances of getting the disease, make key lifestyle changes and see your doctor to be vaccinated if you are at high risk.

Glossary

Carriers: Persons who have a disease without showing symptoms and who can transmit the disease to another person.

Hepatitis B Immune Globulin: A substance given to provide temporary protection against infection with hepatitis B virus.