STIs 3: Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted during anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
The infection can be spread by other means, such as blood transfusion; intranasal cocaine use with shared straws; shared items, such as razors and toothbrushes; needlestick injuries; or use of unclean tattooing needles, skin-cutting tools, or surgical equipment.
Many men and women who have this infection have no symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others.
Most people fully recover from hepatitis B infection within about six months, many without having experienced symptoms.

There is no medical cure for hepatitis B, but there is a vaccine to prevent it, as well as treatments that can reduce the damage caused by the virus.
A small percentage (1 to 5%) of people infected with the virus become chronic hepatitis B carriers. Of these, approximately one third develop chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
In pregnant women, hepatitis B can be transmitted to the baby, most often during delivery. Most infected babies who are not treated promptly will become chronic carriers at increased risk for chronic liver disease.

Infected clients should refrain from donating blood or sperm and from sharing any items that might come into contact with blood (such as needles, razors, and toothbrushes).
An infected client should use a male or female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex.