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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus is spread by direct contact with blood, serum, or sexual fluids of an infected person.

Symptoms include:

• Lack of energy.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Jaundice (yellow color to the whites of the eyes or skin).
• Abdominal pain.

Some persons who have hepatitis B, particularly younger children, have no symptoms. A small number of hepatitis B infections are rapidly fatal. Although most infected persons recover completely, some develop chronic, long-term hepatitis B and can spread this infection. Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure are serious risks with this disease, but may take decades to develop.

The virus is spread by direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. This can happen by sharing needles or having sex with somebody infected with hepatitis B. Transmission can also occur for people living together for a long time in the same household or institution. Infected women can pass the virus to their babies. Blood is now tested before a transfusion to prevent spreading hepatitis B. Medical personnel are at risk of exposure due to needle sticks.

Scientific Term:

Hepatitis B Virus

Generic Term:

• Hepatitis B
• Viral hepatitis B
• HBV

Age Groups at Risk:

• Newborns of Hepatitis B-positive women
  • Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
• Asians and Pacific Islanders
  • Hepatitis B Prevention among Asians and Pacific Islanders
• All

Fact Sheets:

• Department of Health Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet

Vaccine Info:

• Hepatitis B Vaccine

Vaccine Information Statements:

• Hepatitis B

Related Information:

• Notifiable Conditions: Hepatitis B
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Publications
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006
• Guidelines for Standing Orders in Labor & Delivery & Nursery Units
  to Prevent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Transmission to Newborns
• Protection Against Viral Hepatitis Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP)
• A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States
• Immunization of Health-Care Workers: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
• Alternate Two-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccination Schedule for Adolescents Aged 11-15 Years (MMWR dated 3/31/00 - vol 49, No 12, pg 26)
• 1995 Update on Recommendations for Hepatitis B Vaccination of Adolescents, Including Asians and Pacific Islanders
• A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Part 1: Immunization of Infants, Children, and Adolescents
• Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis

Hepatitis Resources:
 

American Liver Foundation Phone Number: 1-800-223-0179	CDC Hepatitis Information Hotline Phone Number: 1-888-443-7232
Communicable Disease Reports (Washington State)	Hepatitis B Foundation Phone Number: 215-489-4900
Hepatitis Foundation International Phone Number: 1-800-891-0707	Immunization Action Coalition
Labor and Industries WISHA Services	National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Phone Number: 301-654-3810
Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases Phone Number: 1-877-557-5437	PEPLine: 24-hr hotline to advise clinicians re: occupational blood exposures. Phone Number: 1-888-448-4911
Public Health--Seattle & King County Hepatitis A & B Vaccine Initiative Among Gay and Bisexual Men	University of Washington Hepatology Division Phone number: 206-598-4956

 

Last Update: 08/26/2008 01:58 PM