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Hepatitis B  

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
2. How can hepatitis B be diagnosed?
3. What is a chronic carrier?
4. Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?
5. Is the vaccine safe?
6. Should I get a vaccine if I am already a chronic carrier of HBV?
7. If I can't be cured, what should I do if I am a carrier?
8. Who is most at risk for being infected with HBV?
9. Is HBV more infectious than HIV?
10. Can I get infected just by living with someone who is infected?
11. Can I get infected from a mosquito?

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Hepatitis B is a "silent disease" that often affects many people without making them feel sick. If you do get sick from hepatitis B, the symptoms may be like the "flu." You may lose your appetite, feel extremely tired, have stomach cramps and vomit. If you are more seriously ill, your skin and eyes may turn yellow (jaundiced) and you may need hospitalization. However, there is no specific treatment for hepatitis B once it is contracted. back to the top

 

2. The only sure way to diagnose hepatitis B is by testing blood for HBV. Blood tests can confirm HBV infection, as well as identify carriers most likely to transmit the disease to others. Blood screening tests can also identify those people who have achieved lifelong immunity due to a prior hepatitis B infection, as well as those who have never been exposed to the virus. back to the top

 

3. A chronic carrier of HBV is someone who has the hepatitis B virus in their blood and can pass the disease on to others. There are usually no physical symptoms. Although HBV is associated with liver disease, people who are diagnosed as carriers should feel reassured that their lives can be long and healthy. back to the top

 

4. The vaccine is now required by most states for children going to school. However, it does not require everyone to get it. Those who should especially get the vaccine are those who are at highest risk. Below is a list of all who should be vaccinated:

  • Sexually active heterosexual adults with more than one sex partner in the prior 6 months or a recently acquired sexually transmitted disease.
  • People who have clotting factor disorders such as hemophilia.
  • People whose jobs potentially expose them to human blood or body fluids. This includes most healthcare and some public safety workers, as well as some athletes, coaches and teachers.
  • People living or having sexual contact with others who are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus.
  • Adolescents who have not been immunized against hepatitis B.
  • Children (under 7 years old) of immigrants and refugees from areas where HBV infection rates are high, and household contacts of adopted children, immigrants and refugees who have chronic HBV infection.
  • Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders.
  • Illicit injection drug users.
  • International travelers to areas where HBV infection rates are high who will stay in these areas for more than 6 months and have close contact with local persons, who stay for shorter durations and may have sexual contact with local persons, or who perform medical procedures in these areas.
  • Clients and staff of institutions for the developmentally disabled.
  • Hemodialysis patients.
  • Men who have sex with men.
  • Long-term male prison inmates. back to the top
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    5. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. You cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine. The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness at the injection site. As with any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems could occur after getting a vaccine. However, the potential risks associated with hepatitis B disease are much greater than the potential risks associated with the hepatitis B vaccine. back to the top

     

    6. The vaccine for HBV is not a cure. There currently is no cure for hepatitis B. The vaccine will only prevent you from being infected from the virus if you have not already been infected. back to the top

     

    7. Firstly, you should contact a liver specialist, hepatologist. You should also get regular check-ups:

    For those older than 15 years of age, you should schedule yearly visits with your doctor, or more frequently if your doctor decides that is best. The doctor will perform a phycial exam, order blood tests for HBV markers (liver function enzymes and alpha feto protein), and may also perform an ultra-sound on your liver.

    For those under 15 years of age, visits should be scheduled with your child's doctor. Your visits may be once per year or more frequently depending on your child's situation. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood tests for HBV markers. These tests are necessary to detect liver disease at the earliest stages and to monitor any progression of liver disease.

    For those who are pregnant, HBV is passed from mothers who are carriers to their newborn children at the time of delivery. If you are a pregnant carrier, be certain that your doctors are aware of your HBV status and arrange to protect your newborn against HBV with hepatitis B immune globulin and the vaccine within hours of delivery. This procedure prevents the newborn from becoming infected with HBV from the mother 95% of the time.

    Be sure your close contacts and household members are vaccinated against HBV. Also, it is advised that eating green and yellow vegetables, particularly cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower will be helpful because they are good for the liver. They tend to protect it against chemicals and toxins in the environment. Also, it is very important that you do not drink any alcohol. Alcohol is poisonous to the liver. back to the top

     

    8. Those at risk for being infected are similar to those at risk of being infected for other STD's like HIV. That is, those who have sex with many partners, especially men who have sex with men and IV drug users. Those who get tattoos at unsafe parlors and health care workers are also at higher risk. back to the top

     

    9. HBV is found in blood and other body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. It is 100 times more infectious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. back to the top

     

    10. Solely living with someone would not likely put you at great risk for getting infected. However, steps can be taken to reduce whatever risks do exist. Handwashing is the single most important hygiene practice which can reduce the chance that infected blood or contaminated fluids will be transmitted to a susceptible person. Careful handwashing with soap and water should be used after caring for bleeding wounds; after handling items which have been contaminated with blood, serum and saliva; before eating, handling food or smoking; and after each bathroom use. People should avoid sharing personal items that may have traces of blood or body secretions, such as razors, clippers, toothbrushes, eating utensils and hypodermic needles. Effort should also be made to reduce the possibilities of blood contact. Bleeding or oozing cuts should be covered. Surfaces contaminated with blood from a carrier should be cleaned immediately with soap and water followed by disinfection with household bleach. People doing the cleaning should protect themselves by wearing disposable gloves, especially when discarding soiled materials. back to the top

     

    11. While the virus has been found in bloodsucking insects (e.g. bedbugs), transmission of the virus has not been found in this way. back to the top

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