Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be transmitted through blood and through sexual intercourse. It can cause inflammation of the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, cancer of the liver and liver failure. It is spread through contact with body fluids, so people at risk for getting HBV include anyone exposed to blood and blood products, people who share drug needles, health care workers and anyone who has a sexual partner whose sexual and drug history are unknown. One-third of new cases of HBV in the United States, however, occur in sexually active young adults with no other risk factors.

Symptoms

Some people who have HBV don't have any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they'll begin 45 to 180 days after exposure and may include:

• Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fever

• Diarrhea, light-colored stools

• Stomach or joint pain

• Extreme fatigue

Treatment

There is no cure for hepatitis B. About 90 percent of adults recover from HBV in a few months, clearing the virus from their system and developing an immunity. A small percentage of adults are unable to clear the infection from their bodies, and the infection becomes chronic. Over time, chronic HBV infection may cause your liver to stop working and you may need a liver transplant. If you think you have been exposed to HBV, your doctor may be able to give you hepatitis B immune globulin to prevent hepatitis from developing. People who have chronic active disease can be treated with drugs that fight viral infections, such as interferon, lamivudine, adefovir and entecavir.

Prevention

A very effective vaccine is available to prevent HBV infection. People who should be vaccinated include:

• All babies at birth

• All children 7 to 18 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated

• People of any age who fall into a high-risk group: people who have more than one sex partner in six months, men who have sex with men, and people who inject illegal drugs

• Anyone who is exposed to human blood