Hepatitis B

What is Hepatitis B (HBV)?

Hepatitis is a disease of the liver; it literally means an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is caused by the HBV virus (hepatitis B virus), although it can also be caused by alcohol and other toxins (poisonous substances). There are several types of hepatitis, but we are going to talk about the sexually transmitted Hepatitis B. It is transmitted from one person to another through blood and other bodily fluids (likd semen or vaginal secretions), just like other STDs. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse and from needles shared by intravenous drug users who have the virus. (This also includes contaminated needles used for steroids and tattooing.) You can be protected from the Hepatitis B virus by receiving a series of immunizations (injections or "shots").

About 80 percent of all liver cancer is believed to be caused by the HBV virus. Hepatitis can cause your liver to stop functioning and may lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer, both of which may cause severe illness and even death. Although there is no cure, there are medications available to help stop the spread of the disease. These medications are expensive, and may not be available to families without health insurance.

Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.

Hepatitis B is the only STD that can be effectively prevented by a vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommend vaccination for all newborns in order to prevent infection with hepatitis B later on. The vaccine is highly effective, and should be strongly considered. Check with your health-care provider to find out if you should have the vaccination.


Symptoms
A teenager with hepatitis B may feel tired and achy and have no appetite. She may be nauseated, have a mild fever and experience vomiting and abdominal pain. Hepatitis B can also cause jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, and may cause the urine to appear tea-colored or very dark.

After exposure to the hepatitis B virus, you may not experience any symptoms for 1 to 5 months. Some people with hepatitis B don't notice any symptoms until they become very sick. Even when a person with hepatitis B doesn't notice any symptoms, he can still transmit the disease to others. Some people continue to carry the virus in their body, and are contagious for the rest of their lives.

If you have had a sexual partner who may have hepatitis B, you need to see your health-care provider so she can do blood tests. If a diagnosis of hepatitis B is made, you will need to rest; other than that, there is no real treatment for hepatitis B. Some people may need to be hospitalized for a little while if they are too sick to eat or drink. Almost all people with hepatitis B recover completely within 6 months.

Incubation Period


The incubation period is usually 45 to180 days. The average is around 60 to 90 days.

You may test positive as early as 2 weeks after exposure.