HEPATITIS B (HBV) - Utah Department of Health

1 HEPATITIS B (HBV) FACT SHEET. What is HEPATITIS B? Can a person spread HEPATITIS B and not HEPATITIS means inflammation of the liver. know it? HEPATITIS B infection is a serious liver Yes. Many people with chronic HBV infection do infection caused by the HEPATITIS B virus not know they are infected since they do not feel (HBV). HBV infection may be either short- or look sick. However, they still can spread the lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Having virus to others and are at risk of serious Health chronic HEPATITIS B increases your risk of problems themselves. developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis a condition that permanently What are the signs and symptoms of scars the liver. HEPATITIS B infection? Signs and symptoms of HBV infection range from Most adults with HBV infection recover fully, mild to severe.

2 Some people, usually young even if their signs and symptoms are severe. children, may not have any symptoms. HEPATITIS Infants and children are more likely to B symptoms may include: develop a chronic HBV infection. Abdominal pain Dark urine How is HEPATITIS B spread? Fever The virus is passed from person to person Joint pain through blood, semen or other body fluids. It Loss of appetite is not spread by sneezing or coughing, Nausea and vomiting breastfeeding, or through contaminated food Weakness and fatigue or water. People can become infected with Yellowing of your skin and the whites of the virus during activities such as: your eyes (jaundice). Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth) How long after infection do symptoms Sex with an infected partner appear?

3 Sharing needles, syringes, or other On average, symptoms usually appear 90 days drug-injection equipment (or 3 months) after exposure, but can appear any Sharing items such as razors or time between 6 weeks and 6 months after toothbrushes with an infected person exposure. Symptoms usually last a few weeks, Direct contact with the blood or open but some people can be ill for as long as 6. sores of an infected person months. Exposure to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments. Bureau of Epidemiology 801-538-6191 Who is most at risk? Most people diagnosed with chronic HBV. The following groups are at increased risk of HBV infection need treatment for the rest of their infection: lives. Treatment helps reduce the risk of liver Household and sexual contacts of HBV- disease and prevents you from passing the infected persons infection to others.

4 Treatment for chronic HBV. People who inject drugs or share needles, infection may include antiviral medications, syringes, or other drug equipment interferon injections, and liver transplant. Men who have sex with other men People who have jobs that exposes them How can HBV infection be prevented? to human blood The best way to prevent HBV infection is by People living with someone who has a getting vaccinated. The HEPATITIS B vaccine is chronic HBV infection typically given as a series of 3 or 4 injections Infants born to an infected mother over 6 months. The entire series is needed for Hemodialysis patients long-term protection. You can't get HBV infection Travelers to countries with moderate to from the vaccine. The HEPATITIS B vaccine is high rates of HEPATITIS B.

5 Recommended for: Newborns What type of Health problems are caused People living with someone infected with by HBV infection? HEPATITIS B. Over time, chronic HBV infection can cause People who are incarcerated serious Health problems, including liver damage, Travelers to certain countries cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. Healthcare and public safety workers exposed to blood People with high-risk sexual behaviors How is HBV infection diagnosed? Men who have sex with men Blood tests can detect signs of HBV in your body People who inject drugs and determine whether it is acute or chronic. A. People with certain medical conditions, blood test can also determine if a person has including HIV, diabetes, and HEPATITIS C. been infected and cleared the virus, is currently virus infection.

6 Infected, or has never been infected. All pregnant women should be tested for HBV infection. Where can I get more information? Your personal healthcare provider How is HBV infection treated? Centers for Disease Control and There is no medication available to treat acute Prevention HBV infection. During this short-term infection, Utah Department of Health your healthcare provider will usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids, although some people may need to be hospitalized. Rev. 02/2018. Bureau of Epidemiology 801-538-6191