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  How does it occur?

Hepatitis B is extremely infectious. This type of hepatitis is commonly spread through sexual secretions (such as semen) and blood. Contaminated syringes and needles can also spread hepatitis. If instruments such as the ones used in tattoo and piercing parlors are not completely sterilized between uses, they can spread hepatitis.

The disease can be spread by people who do not know they carry the virus. In the U.S. there are between half a million and a million people who carry the virus but are not sick. Mothers who are infected with hepatitis B or who are carriers can spread the disease to their babies.

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  What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of hepatitis B may appear as long as 4 weeks to 6 months after a person is infected with the virus. Many people who develop the chronic form of the disease have only vague symptoms, even though the virus may be damaging their livers.

If symptoms occur, the disease usually begins with the typical symptoms of viral infection:

Other possible early symptoms include:

Symptoms that may follow several days later include:

Hepatitis can cause permanent liver damage. Some of the symptoms of serious liver damage are:

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  How is it diagnosed?

A careful medical history helps determine when you began having symptoms and how they have progressed. It may also suggest how you got infected. Your health care provider needs to make sure that liver inflammation is not from the side effects of medications you are taking or from the abuse of drugs such as alcohol. Your health care provider will examine your skin, eyes, and especially your abdomen for signs of hepatitis.

The diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests. If blood tests show that your liver is not working normally, your health care provider will do tests to find out what type of virus is causing the problems. Other viruses can also cause liver problems, such as the mononucleosis virus. If your health care provider thinks you may have chronic hepatitis or serious liver damage, or if the diagnosis is uncertain, a liver biopsy may be done. A biopsy is a procedure in which a needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue. This is done through the skin after you are given a local anesthetic. The sample of tissue is sent to a lab for tests.   How is it treated? The usual treatment for hepatitis B is bed rest, a balanced diet, and avoidance of alcohol and certain medications for at least 6 months. Antibiotics are not useful in treating hepatitis. Except for more serious cases, it is usually not necessary to stay in a hospital. If you become severely dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital to receive intravenous (IV) fluids. If you have chronic hepatitis B, you may need steroids. Or you may be given injections of interferon, an antiviral drug. You should discuss these possibilities with your health care provider. Also see Alternative Treatments for Hepatitis C   How long will the effects last? The symptoms generally last several weeks and are usually followed by a slow but complete recovery. It may take 6 months before tests of your liver show that it is working normally again. Up to 10% of people with hepatitis B develop chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis can be mild, or it may cause severe, permanent liver damage. Infection with the hepatitis B virus for a long time increases your risk of liver cancer.

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• How can I take care of myself?

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  What can be done to prevent the spread of hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is highly contagious for 2 to 6 weeks before symptoms appear. It continues to be contagious for some time after you start having symptoms. After you begin your treatment, your doctor will want to see you for a follow-up. He or she will test your blood to see if you are still contagious. Some people who get hepatitis B become chronic carriers. A blood test can determine whether you are a chronic carrier of the virus.

To avoid spreading the disease to others:

People in the following categories have a high risk of getting hepatitis B and should get hepatitis B shots:

• hospital staff
• sexual partners of people who carry the disease
• male homosexuals.

In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians now recommend that all infants should get hepatitis B shots. As the cost of the shots decreases, more people are being encouraged to get the shot to prevent sexually transmitted hepatitis B. Ask your doctor or local health department about whether you should be immunized against hepatitis B.  Click here  for nutritional supplements that may be helpful for Hepatitis.

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