What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that infects the liver.
It can result in chronic life-long infection and is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Tiredness, loss of appetite, fever, tenderness in the upper right side of the abdomen, dark-coloured urine, clay-coloured stools, nausea and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyeballs).
Symptoms occur 2-6 months after contact with the hepatitis B virus.
How can I contract Hepatitis B?
Blood to blood contact through infected needles, unsterilized medical or dental equipment, contaminated tools used for tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture or injecting drugs.
A toothbrush or razor shared with an infected person.
Transmission from an infected mother to her newborn at birth.
Blood transfusions in countries that have sub-optimal blood donor screening programs.
You can also contract hepatitis B through unprotected sex with an infected person.
Where can I contract Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B occurs worldwide.
The highest incidents occur in Eastern Europe, South and Central America, Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East.
What vaccines are available for Hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B vaccine on its own, or Twinrix (A and B) if you also want to get the hepatitis A vaccine at the same time.
You need a series of shots to get immunity, and several timing schedules are available.
Immunity is lifelong once completed in most people.
Since 1982 in Canada, hepatitis B has been part of the routine childhood vaccination.
How can I prevent Hepatitis B?
Get vaccinated and take precautions when you are in situations where you are exposed to other people’s blood.
What is the treatment for Hepatitis B?
Anti-viral treatments are available for chronic hepatitis B carriers but not everyone responds and it may not be effective.
