Hepatitis B Fact Sheet - HCV Advocate

1 Hepatitis B fact Sheet B V. H. A Publication of the Hepatitis C Support Project a series of fact sheets written by experts in the field of liver disease Written by: Chistine M. Kukka HBV Project Manager Preventing Hepatitis B. at Home and in Personal Care Settings H epatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). In the United States, about one in 20 people has been infected with HBV, one-third of them say they do not know how they HBV is easily spread through blood-to-blood contact, sharing needles during injection drug became infected. use, and sexual activity, which accounts for about one-third of all new infections each year in Most experienced short-term or acute HBV infections. But an esti- the United States. When infected mated 2 million Americans are chronically infected with HBV, which mothers give birth, they frequent- means they have long-term infection and can infect others. ly infect their newborns unless the infant is immunized against hepa- Risky Items: While many states have laws to protect titis B within 12 hours of birth, and is given Hepatitis B immune glob- consumers from infections in commercial tattoo parlors, ulin (HBIG), which contains hepa- personal care salons and piercing shops, many states do not titis B antibodies to help prevent routinely inspect these businesses to make sure that safety infection.

2 While many children and adults with Hepatitis B have precautions are followed. This is why it is so important that no symptoms, over time this liver consumers be proactive to make sure that everything is infection can cause cirrhosis (liver scarring) and liver cancer. done to prevent possible transmission of Hepatitis , HIV, and other infections. How is Hepatitis B spread? Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or body flu- While there is a safe and effective vaccine that prevents Hepatitis B, ids (excluding urine, feces, tears to date the vaccination program has focused primarily on newborns and saliva) of an infected person. and school-age children. Many teens and adults in the United States For example, you can become in- have not yet been vaccinated. In 2007, for example, an estimated fected if you touch HBV-infected 43,000 people were newly infected with HBV. Rates were highest among adults, particularly males aged 25 44, according to the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

3 Hepatitis B fact Sheet HBV fact Series 2. Preventing Hepatitis B. blood and you have a cut or rash Never share or re-use any per- HBV through improper steriliza- on your hand that allows the virus sonal care items (toothbrush- tion and re-use of medical equip- to enter your body. You could also es, razors, etc.) ment, including needles, syring- become infected if body piercers You really never know who has es, IV tubes and other medical or tattooists re-use needles and a bloodborne infection and who equipment. ink. A high school student could does not. Keeping It Safe in Personal Care contract Hepatitis B if he or she shared pierced earrings or even Settings How is HBV Transmitted in Daily toothbrushes with an infected Disposable Items: Life? Most tools used by tattooists, friend. Because HBV is found in infect- body piercers, manicurists, and Hepatitis B is far more infectious ed blood at high concentrations, barbers should be used only than Hepatitis C or HIV, because it can be transmitted by personal once, on a single person.

4 Pro- there are very high concentra- care items such as razors and fessional tattooists, piercers, tions of HBV in the blood and equipment used by manicurists, and electrologists should always body fluids of infected people. estheticians (skin care special- use new, disposable needles for HBV is also far more resilient ists), barbers and cosmetolo- each customer; disposable ink than Hepatitis C viruses or HIV. gists. This can happen when pots for tattooing should also be CDC has reported that HBV can even a small amount of infected used. Paper emery boards, files, live outside the body for at least blood, so tiny it cannot be seen, orange wood sticks, cotton balls seven days and can live for sev- stays on equipment and comes or swabs, sponges, neck strips, eral days in dried blood on table into contact with an open cut or and other items that cannot be surfaces, needles, syringes and sore, rash or eyes, mouth or nos- cleaned should be used on only razors. trils (mucous membranes) of an- one person than disposed.

5 Other person. You never know who has hepati- Substitute single-use items for tis B and who does not, because Other equipment that comes into reusable items. Make sure a tat- the infection often causes no contact with blood includes tat- too artist always opens and uses symptoms for years or decades. tooing and body piercing nee- new ink pots in front of you. Also, about 5 to 10 percent dles, cuticle scissors, nail files Risky Items: of people who are immunized and emery boards, razors and While many states have laws to against Hepatitis B never devel- hair clippers, hair removal tools protect consumers from infec- op enough protective antibodies such as tweezers and electroly- tions in commercial tattoo par- from the vaccine to protect them sis equipment and even hair-cut- lors, personal care salons and from infection. That is why it is ting scissors and combs. piercing shops, many states do important to follow these safety The transmission of HBV through not routinely inspect these busi- precautions: personal care procedures has nesses to make sure that safety Use standard safety or univer- not been well studied.

6 The CDC precautions are followed. This is sal precautions and always continues to study these prac- why it is so important that con- put a barrier between yourself tices and the risk tattooing and sumers be proactive to make sure and others' blood and bodily piercing practices pose. What that everything is done to prevent fluids. has been well-documented is possible transmission of hepati- Practice safer sex. the high rate of transmission of tis, HIV, and other infections. 3 HBV fact Series Hepatitis B fact Sheet Preventing Hepatitis B. Blade or scraper tools used to trim solution for at least 10 to 20 min- Soaking bowls and foot spas calluses (such as Credo blades) utes. Small items may be stored should be disinfected after are especially likely to come into in the disinfectant solution be- each user. contact with blood. California, for tween uses. Commercial solu- Counters, chairs, lamps, and example, prohibits the use of such tions should be changed at least other surfaces should be tools in nail salons.

7 Needle-like once per week or when visibly cleaned regularly with a disin- instruments used to extract skin dirty. fectant solution. blemishes are also prohibited. Used razor blades and other Although the actual needles and Cutting cuticles presents a risk for sharp items should be dis- blades are disposable, tattoo contact with blood, and many ex- carded in a puncture-proof guns, razor blade handles, and perts recommend that nail salon container. electrolysis machines should be workers should not cut cuticles. thoroughly cleaned with a disin- Nail and hair cuttings should Straight razors also are likely to fectant solution between uses. be disposed of properly. draw blood; therefore, disposable Don't be afraid to ask about a Used towels, sheets, and blades or safety razors should be business' disinfectant practices; gowns should be kept in a cov- used and discarded after each your health depends on it. ered receptacle and washed client. Recently, a new hard surface in hot water with detergent.

8 Cleaning and Disinfecting: cleaning product called PURE Personal care professionals Equipment that is used on more Hard Surface was found to kill should be educated about dis- than one person should be prop- Hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV ease transmission and trained to erly cleaned and disinfected be- within 60 seconds. This cleanser use proper health and safety pro- tween users. For procedures that is reported to be more effective cedures. Manicurists, cosmetolo- pierce the skin, disposable tools and fast-acting than many more gists, barbers, estheticians, and should be used unless they can toxic cleansers. electrologists must be licensed in be completely sterilized. Steril- all states. ization can be done using steam Work Space Precautions: or dry heat. An autoclave is a Work spaces should be dis- Workers should wash their hands machine that sterilizes using both infected after each client and vigorously with soap and water for heat and pressure. organized so used or contami- at least 20 seconds before each nated equipment is separated customer and, if appropriate, Tools should be cleaned with a and never mixed up.

9 Wear disposable gloves. disinfectant solution. Commer- cial products such as Barbicide Lotions, powders, and other Any cuts or sores should be disinfect rather than sterilize. Al- products should be kept in covered with a waterproof though not well studied, research containers that allow for dis- bandage. suggests that commercial solu- pensing a portion of the prod- One of the best steps people can tions may not kill all Hepatitis vi- uct without contaminating the take to keep it safe is to bring their ruses. Look for an EPA-registered container, and sanitary appli- own equipment to the nail salon hospital grade product that kills cators should be used for cos- or barbershop. This is especial- bacteria (bactericide), viruses (vi- metics. ly important for items like cuticle rucide), and fungi (fungicide). Manicurists should not use scissors and razors that are likely soaking water for more than to come into contact with blood. Items should be immersed in a one customer. Some professionals will keep per- Hepatitis B fact Sheet HBV fact Series 4.

10 Preventing Hepatitis B. For more information sonal client packs or kits at the Bandage and cover all open about Hepatitis B. salon with tools to be used only cuts or bruises. These serve immunization,visitthe for a specific customer. as entry and exit points for vi- following websites ruses. Keep them clean and Centers for Disease Control and Keeping Your Home Safe covered to prevent infection. Prevention website on Hepatitis Disinfection is also important in Use bleach disinfecting solu- B immunization of infants &. the home, especially if a family tions in bathrooms, diapering children: member has Hepatitis B or some areas and other places where other blood borne infection. germs are found. Centers for Disease Control and Never share personal care items: If there has been a blood spill, Prevention website on Hepatitis For the reasons already men- make a solution of one-part bleach B immunization of adults: tioned, neither adults nor chil- and nine-parts water. Soak the blood-exposed area for about 20 dren should ever share nail clippers, nail files, pierced minutes.