Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It can be spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex with someone who is infected, by sharing needles or by contact with infected blood. It can also be spread from a pregnant mother to her baby.
It cannot be spread from casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands. Coming into contact with the sweat or tears of someone with Hepatitis B will not put you at risk. You also cannot get Hepatitis B from donating blood.
Symptoms
Symptoms show up 1 to 9 months after contact with the Hepatitis B virus. Many individuals have no or mild symptoms. However, symptoms may include:
- Flu-like feelings that don't go away (such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting).
- Tiredness.
- Joint pain.
- Jaundice (yellowed skin).
- Dark urine, light-colored bowel movements.
- Abdominal pain, especially around your liver (located on the upper right side of your abdomen, just beneath your lower ribs).
Diagnosis & Treatment
A blood test can confirm if you are infected with Hepatitis B. Usually, Hepatitis B will go away on its own, but you should verify with your doctor that the infection is completely gone.
What happens if you go untreated?
You can give Hepatitis B to your sexual partner(s) or someone you share needles with. If you go untreated, your symptoms may go away but you can still give Hepatitis B to others, including unborn children. Hepatitis B can cause permanent liver damage.