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More than half of us get a sexually transmitted infection at some point in our lives. But we can protect ourselves and each other from sexually transmitted infections like hepatitis B. Learning more about hepatitis B is an important first step.
Here are some of the most common questions we hear people ask about hepatitis B. We hope you find the answers helpful, whether you think you may have hepatitis B, have been diagnosed with it, or are just curious about it.
Highlights
What Is Hepatitis B?
You may have heard of hepatitis, but many people are not sure what it is. Hepatitis is an infection of the liver. The group of viruses that infect the liver are called hepatitis viruses. Some types of hepatitis can cause very serious diseases and — in extreme cases — may lead to death.
Three types of hepatitis virus can be sexually transmitted. The type of hepatitis most likely to be sexually transmitted is hepatitis B (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and urine.
About 46,000 American women, men, and children become infected with HBV each year. Most of these infections occur among people who are age 20 to 49.
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Other Kinds of Hepatitis That Can Be Spread During Sex
- Hepatitis A (HAV). A person can get hepatitis A from infected fecal matter that gets into the mouth — from contaminated food, for example. This infection usually spreads when people do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. HAV also can pass from one sex partner to another. Hepatitis A is not a long-term infection. A person can only get the infection once. There is also a vaccine for HAV.
- Hepatitis C (HCV). Hepatitis C is passed through direct contact with an infected person's blood. It can spread during sex, but this is very rare. HCV is more likely to be spread during sex if either of the sex partners also has another sexually transmitted infection. For most people, HCV is a long-term infection and causes chronic liver disease.
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What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Because hepatitis B often has no symptoms, most people are not aware that they have the infection. About 1 out of 2 adults who have it never have hepatitis B symptoms. When hepatitis B symptoms do occur, they usually appear between six weeks and six months after infection.
When hepatitis B symptoms do develop, the ones most likely to happen first include
- extreme tiredness
- tenderness and pain in the lower abdomen
- loss of appetite
- nausea, vomiting
- pain in the joints
- headache
- fever
- hives
Later hepatitis B symptoms include
- more severe abdominal pain
- dark urine
- pale-colored bowel movements
- jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes
How Can I Know If I Have Hepatitis B?
A health care provider can do a blood test to see if you have hepatitis — whether or not you have hepatitis B symptoms.
Is There a Cure for Hepatitis B?
No, there is no medicine that can cure hepatitis. But in most cases, hepatitis B goes away by itself within 4 to 8 weeks. More than 9 out of 10 adults with HBV recover completely.
However, about 1 out of 20 people who get HBV as adults will be "carriers" and have chronic (long-term) infection with HBV. Nine out of 10 infants who get HBV at birth will have chronic infection unless they receive immediate treatment. Most HBV carriers remain contagious for the rest of their lives. There are about one and a quarter million HBV carriers in the U.S.
HBV carriers are more likely to pass the infection to other people. Chronic HBV infections can lead to severe liver disease — including liver damage (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. About 1 out of 5 people with chronic HBV infection die from the infection.
There are drugs that can help treat chronic hepatitis B. Keep in mind that pregnant women can't use these drugs.
Where Can I Get a Test or Treatment for Hepatitis B?
Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, health departments, and private health care providers can diagnose hepatitis and help you get any treatment you may need.
How Is Hepatitis B Spread?
Hepatitis B is very contagious. It is passed through an exchange of semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and urine by
- having sexual intercourse without a latex or female condom
- having unprotected oral sex
- sharing needles and other "works" to inject drugs
- sharing personal hygiene utensils such as toothbrushes and razors
- accidental pricks with contaminated needles in the course of health care
HBV can also be passed from mother to infant during birth.
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Pregnancy and Hepatitis B
Pregnant women who know they may have been exposed to hepatitis B should be tested before giving birth. Other women should consider testing. Talk with your health care provider to see if testing may be right for you either before you get pregnant, or during your pregnancy.
Unless treated at birth, 9 out of 10 infants born to women with HBV will carry the virus. Immediate treatment of the infant can be 90 to 95 percent effective. Treatment includes a shot at birth, followed by two more shots given during the next six months. |
How Can I Prevent Getting or Spreading Hepatitis B?
There are several ways to help prevent getting hepatitis B or spreading it to other people.
- You can abstain from sexual intercourse.
- If you choose to have sex, use female or latex condoms every time.
- Get the hepatitis B vaccine.
- Don't "shoot" drugs, especially with "unclean" needles or "works."
- Don't share items such as razors or toothbrushes — they may have infected blood on them.
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Emergency Prevention
If you are exposed to the semen, vaginal fluids, blood, or urine of someone with HBV and you have not already received the HBV vaccine, see your health care provider right away. You can reduce your risk of infection by getting treatment within 14 days of being exposed. |
Where Can I Learn More About Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B Foundation
Published: 04.29.08 | Updated: 04.29.08
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