Facts About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is another type of liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Unlike hepatitis A, the B virus might lead to chronic infection.

Signs or symptoms are not always obvious. Symptoms may be more common among adults than among children. Some of the symptoms might include jaundice, fatigue (tiredness), and/or loss of appetite.

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted by coming into contact with bodily fluids of infected persons. HBV spreads by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles for IV drugs, steroids, piercing or tattooing, and from mother to baby during birth.

Some of the persons who are at risk of developing hepatitis B include persons with multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, household contacts of infected persons, babies of infected mothers, health care workers, and hemodialysis patients.

Having protected sex and avoiding infected sharps or sharing personal items (razors) can help prevent hepatitis B. A vaccine is available for hepatitis B.