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Questions Frequently Asked About Hepatitis B: Continued On The Next Page
Questions Frequently Asked About Hepatitis B: Continued On The Next Page
immunization
IAC
action coalition
IAC
action coalition
A chronically infected person might have no can hurt the liver. If the result of any liver • Clean up blood spills. Then reclean the
signs or symptoms of hepatitis B infection test is abnormal, it’s important that you con- area with a bleach solution (one part house-
but usually remains infected for years or for sult a liver specialist. hold chlorine bleach to 10 parts water).
a lifetime and is capable of passing hepa- • Tell your sex partner(s) you have hepatitis
titis B on to others. Sometimes chronically If your liver disease has progressed... B so they can be tested and vaccinated (if
infected people will spontaneously clear If your physician tells you your liver disease not already infected). Sex partners should
the infection from their bodies, but most has progressed, read the following for be tested for anti- HBs 1–2 months after
will not. Although most chronically infected some extra precautions you should take. the three doses are completed to be sure
people have no serious problems with hep- the vaccine worked.
• Avoid alcohol and medicine that has not
atitis B and lead normal, healthy lives, some • Use condoms (rubbers) during sex unless
been prescribed by your doctor – even
develop liver problems later. Chronically your sex partner has had hepatitis B or
over-the-counter medicines.
infected people are at significantly higher risk has been vaccinated and has had the anti-
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A. Hepa-
than the general population for liver failure HBs blood test demonstrating immunity.
titis A virus infection can further damage
or liver cancer. (Condoms may also protect you from other
your liver.
sexually transmitted diseases.)
Is there a cure for hepatitis B? • Get a yearly influenza (flu) vaccination.
• Tell household members to see their health-
• Patients with severe liver disease (cirrhosis)
There are several medicines used for the care providers for testing and vaccination
should also receive pneumococcal vaccine.
treatment of people with chronic hepatitis for hepatitis B.
• Don’t eat raw oysters. They may carry the
• Tell your healthcare providers that you are
B. These drugs usually don’t get rid of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, which can cause
virus completely, but may reduce your risk chronically infected with hepatitis B.
serious blood infections in people with
• See your healthcare provider every 6–12
for serious liver disease such as cirrhosis liver disease. Approximately 50% of people
and liver cancer. Check with your doctor to months to check the health of your liver
with this blood infection die from it.
find out if treatment with medication is with blood tests and liver scanning.
• If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare
the right choice for you. Researchers con- What can I do to protect others from
provider that you have hepatitis B infec-
tinue to find additional treatments and look hepatitis B infection?
for cures for hepatitis B. tion. It is critical that your baby is started
People with hepatitis B infection might feel on the hepatitis B shots (both vaccine
What are the long-term effects healthy but are still capable of passing the and HBIG) within 12 hours of birth.
of hepatitis B infection? infection on to other people. To protect
others from getting hepatitis B infection, it don’t:
Each year, approximately 3,000 people in the is important to protect them from contact • Don’t share chewing gum, toothbrushes,
U.S. die of hepatitis B-related chronic liver with your infected blood and other infectious razors, needles for ear or body piercing, or
disease. Hepatitis B virus infection is the body fluids, including semen and vaginal anything that might have come in contact
most common cause of liver cancer world- secretions. Sweat, tears, urine, and respira- with your blood or infectious body fluids
wide and ranks second only to tobacco as tory secretions do not contain hepatitis B. • Don’t pre-chew food for babies.
the world’s leading cause of cancer. Transmission of hepatitis B by saliva has only • Don’t share syringes and needles.
been documented through biting. • Don’t donate blood, plasma, body organs,
How can I take care of myself if I am
tissue, or sperm.
chronically infected with hepatitis B? Important dos and don’ts for • Don’t take any medicines not prescribed
A person with hepatitis B infection should people with chronic hepatitis B by your doctor, even over-the-counter
see a physician knowledgeable about the infection medicines.
management of liver disease every 6–12
months. The physician will do blood tests do: Why is hepatitis B so serious in
to check the health of the liver, as well as • Cover all cuts and open sores with a pregnant women?
test for evidence of liver cancer. It is best for bandage. Pregnant women who are infected with
chronically infected people to avoid alcohol • Wrap up and discard used items such as hepatitis B can transmit the disease to their
because alcohol can injure the liver. Addi- band aids and menstrual pads carefully babies. If babies aren’t protected with vacci-
tionally, your physician should know about so no one is accidentally exposed to your nations, many of them develop lifelong hep-
all the medicines you are taking, even over- blood. atitis B infections, and up to 25% of those
the counter drugs, because some medicines • Wash your hands well after touching your who become infected will develop liver failure
blood or infectious body fluids.
continued on the next page ▶
immunization
IAC
action coalition
or liver cancer later in life. All pregnant national level by the Centers for Disease contaminated with the virus. Hepatitis C
women should be tested early in every preg- Control and Prevention (CDC), which is caused by the hepatitis C virus and is
nancy to determine if they are infected with contracts with vaccine manufacturers to spread through hepatitis C-infected blood.
hepatitis B. If the blood test is positive, the buy vaccines at reduced rates. For adults, Both hepatitis C and hepatitis B infections
baby should be vaccinated within 12 hours contact your healthcare provider to find out are spread by blood through some of the
of birth with two shots, one of HBIG and the if the vaccine is available and how much it same activities (e.g., injection drug use).
other the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine. costs. If you are uninsured or don’t have a Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections
The infant will need at least two more doses healthcare provider, call your local health can cause lifelong liver problems. Hepatitis
of hepatitis B vaccine by age 6 months. The department for advice. A infection does not. Vaccines to prevent
final dose should not be given before age hepatitis A infection are also available.
24 weeks. How many doses of vaccine are Hepatitis A vaccine won’t protect you from
needed? hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, nor will
How can hepatitis B be prevented? hepatitis B vaccine protect you from hepa-
Two or three doses (depending on vac-
Hepatitis B vaccination is the best protec- titis A or hepatitis C infection. There is no
cine brand) are needed usually for the best
tion. The vaccine can be given safely to vaccine yet for hepatitis C. If you’ve been
protection against hepatitis B infection,
infants, children, and adults and is usually infected with hepatitis A or hepatitis C in
but protection is sometimes provided from
given as two or three doses depending on the past, it is still possible to get infected
receiving as little as one dose. The vaccine
the brand of vaccine. Other flexible sched- with hepatitis B.
series can be completed in from 1 to 6
ules are available. Pregnant women can be months, depending on vaccine brand. As
Where can I receive more information
given this vaccine as well. Hepatitis B vac- with all other vaccines, if you fall behind on
cine is very safe, and side effects are rare.
about hepatitis B?
the schedule, you just continue from where
This vaccine was the first vaccine that pre- you left off. Hepatitis B vaccine will not help Contact your local and state health depart-
vents cancer; it prevents liver cancer caused or cure a person who is already infected with ments for more information. You can also
by hepatitis B infection. hepatitis B. contact the following organizations:
IAC
action coalition