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Hepatitis
B
Basic facts:
- 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.
Symptoms:
- Jaundice (yellowing of
the eyes and skin) and/or fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Dark urine
Complications:
- 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.
Prevention of transmission to others:
- Infected clients should
refrain from donating blood, body organs, other tissue, 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.
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