Acute hepatitis B is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus. Some people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms at all or only mild illness.
For others, acute hepatitis B causes a more severe illness that requires hospitalization. Some people, especially those who get infected in adulthood, are able to clear the virus from their bodies without treatment. For other people, acute hepatitis B leads to life-long infection known as chronic hepatitis B. Over time, chronic hepatitis B can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. Age plays a role in whether hepatitis B will become chronic.
The younger a person is when infected with the hepatitis B virus, the greater the chance of developing chronic infection. About 9 in 10 infants who become infected go on to develop life-long, chronic infection.
The risk goes down as a child gets older. About one in three children who get infected before age 6 will develop chronic hepatitis B. In , a total of 3, cases of acute short-term hepatitis B were reported to CDC. CDC estimates the actual number of acute hepatitis B cases was closer to 21, in Many more people about , are estimated to be living with chronic, long-term hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus from:. Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.
However, they can still spread the virus to others. The hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood, semen, and other body fluids of an infected person.
A person who has sex with an infected partner can become infected with the virus. If you are concerned that you might have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, call your health-care provider or your local health department immediately.
Hepatitis B immune globulin is a substance made from human blood samples that contain antibodies against the hepatitis B virus. It is given as a shot to people exposed to the hepatitis B virus to protect them from infection. The hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. During that time, the virus is still capable of causing infection. All blood spills including those that have already dried should be cleaned and disinfected with a mixture of bleach and water 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water.
Gloves should always be worn when cleaning up any blood spills. Even dried blood can cause infection. However, some people, especially those infected during early childhood, remain infected for life because they never cleared the virus from their bodies.
These people are considered to have chronic infection and are at risk for developing severe liver disease. The American Red Cross external icon does not accept blood donations from anyone who has tested positive for hepatitis B or anyone experiencing symptoms of viral hepatitis.
According to the U. Even with a history of hepatitis B, you may be able to donate your organs or tissues. The transplant team will determine what organs or tissue can be used based on a clinical evaluation, medical history, and other factors.
CDC has recently published information about how to assess solid organ donors and monitor transplant recipients for hepatitis B infection pdf icon. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated.
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. Completing the series of shots 2, 3, or 4 doses, depending on the manufacturer is needed to be fully protected. Only people visiting countries where hepatitis B is common should get the hepatitis B vaccine before travel. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, and soreness at the injection site is the most common side effect.
As with any medicine, there are very small risks that a serious problem could occur after getting the vaccine. The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. If the hepatitis B vaccine series is interrupted, the next dose should be given as soon as possible. The first dose s does not need to be repeated. Although HCV is transmissible via sexual activity, this is rare. HCV usually spreads when blood that carries the virus comes into contact with blood that does not.
If a woman with HBV becomes pregnant, they may transmit the virus to their baby. Women should inform the doctor who delivers their baby that they have HBV. This significantly reduces the risk that they will develop HBV. The HBV vaccine takes the form of three injections.
A person can receive the first injection at any age, but babies should receive the first injection soon after birth. The second shot should occur at least 1 month after the first. Adults can receive the third dose at least 8 weeks after the second dose and 16 weeks after the first. Infants should not receive the third dose before 24 weeks of age. Learn more about the benefits of the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns here.
Immune memory induced by the HBV vaccine can last for at least 30 years in healthy people. That said, studies into the duration of the protection that the vaccine offers are ongoing. A person may also experience swelling, redness, and hard skin in this area. Very rarely, HBV vaccination can induce a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Learn more about the possible effects of the HBV vaccine here. The HBV vaccine contains no live virus. This makes it safe for women to receive during pregnancy and lactation. Although HBV is a significant health concern around the world, for most people, the vaccine offers effective protection against the virus. Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes irreversible scarring on the liver.
Hepatitis B is not a genetic disease, although a majority of chronic infections occur by transmission from mother to baby at the time of birth.
Also, it cannot be transmitted:. Treatments commonly used for cancer e. There have been many cases of people who were cured of their cancer who ended up with fatal liver damage as a result of an undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis B infection. All expectant mothers should be screened for hepatitis B since it can be passed to your baby during delivery. If exposed to the virus, your baby's chance of developing a chronic infection is 90 percent.
If you are diagnosed with hepatitis B early in your pregnancy, you may be able to undergo hepatitis B treatment prior to birth. This can drastically reduce your baby's chance of getting the virus in many cases to zero percent. Yes — in the U. If you successfully cleared a hepatitis B infection in the past, you will never get it again. All pregnant women are tested for hepatitis B. If you are found to have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor can help reduce the risk of transferring the infection to your newborn child.
All people living with long term chronic hepatitis B require regular check-ups , but only some require regular medicine antiviral medications, some of which are covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Medicine for hepatitis B controls the amount of virus in the body but does not clear or cure the person of the infection. People whose bodies are naturally maintaining low levels of the virus in their blood and who have no sign of liver damage do not need to be on medication for hepatitis B. People who have high levels of the virus or some liver damage can have treatment that will control and reduce the amount of virus in their body, prevent liver damage and help to heal their scarred liver.
The decision to start treatment for hepatitis B is complicated. Talk to your doctor or specialist to understand whether you need it or not.
While not everyone living with long-term hepatitis B requires medications, all people with long-term hepatitis B need to have regular check-ups for their hepatitis B, every 6 to 12 months. If you have long-term hepatitis B, consult with your doctor. They will monitor your condition and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Immunisation is the best protection against hepatitis B infection.
A course of vaccination is recommended for all babies and people in high-risk groups. Immunisation can be with a vaccine against hepatitis B alone or with a combination vaccine. To be immunised, contact your doctor or local council. Protection against hepatitis B is available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
In Victoria, immunisation against hepatitis B is free for:. In Victoria, free hepatitis B vaccine is provided for people who are at increased risk of infection, including:.
Immunisation is also recommended, but not necessarily free, for people who are at increased risk of infection, including:. Remember that being immunised against hepatitis B does not protect you against HIV, hepatitis C or other diseases spread by blood or body fluids, so you still need to take precautions to ensure you are not exposed to these diseases. Hepatitis B vaccine is not usually recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, but could be recommended by your doctor if you are not immune to hepatitis B and you are at increased risk of infection.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Around half of cases of anal fissures heal by themselves with proper self-care and avoidance of constipation. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.
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