About Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is spread through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. It can be a serious disease that can lead to cirrhosis (scaring of the liver) and/or liver cancer. Most people who get this disease recover from it and can never get it again. However, about 10% of people who get hepatitis B will go on to have chronic infection (long-term infection) and can pass it on to others (be a carrier). The younger a person is when infected, the more likely he or she is to go on to have chronic infection and to develop serious liver disease.
Symptoms of HBV
The symptoms of hepatitis B infection may include tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach ache, and muscle or joint pain. Urine may become darker in color, and then jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may appear.
Diagnosing HBV
Hepatitis B is diagnosed with blood tests. These blood tests can be used to tell the difference between a current infection and a past infection.
Treating HBV
Most people with hepatitis B infection get better without treatment. Generally, bed rest is all that is needed. People with chronic hepatitis B infection may be treated with special drugs that fight viruses. People with hepatitis B should avoid drinking alcohol or taking any medications or dietary supplements that are harmful to the liver, as these can make the liver disease worse. Hepatitis A vaccine may also be recommended to protect the liver against the virus that causes hepatitis A.
How to Protect Against STIs and HIV/AIDS
The only way to guard against getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not to have sex or to have sex only with partners who you know are free of infection. If you do have sex, you should use a latex barrier, such as a male condom, a female condom, or a dental dam, every time. Condoms provide protection against some STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Tapestry Health clinicians recommend using such barriers even in combination with other methods of birth control. Latex condoms are preferred to lambskin condoms for the prevention of STIs.
If you have questions about hepatitis B or STIs, talk to your clinician.
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