Transmission
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can be transmitted from one person to another through infected blood, semen and other bodily fluids. The transmission of hepatitis can occur through sex with an infected person, sharing drug needles with an infected person, using the person's razor or toothbrush or accidentally being stuck with a needle used on an infected person. People can also catch hepatitis B through tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized tools that were used on someone carrying the hepatitis B virus. Infants born to women with hepatitis B can also have the virus passed onto them. High-risk individuals include those who have had multiple sex partners, people exposed to bodily fluids at work and people who have lived in areas of the world where hepatitis B is widespread.
No Risk
Hepatitis B is not spread through shaking hands with someone infected, hugging an infected person or sitting next to someone with the virus, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Hepatitis B is not spread by contaminated food or water and can't be spread casually in places such as a work environment, according to the World Health Organization.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of hepatitis B is usually done through blood tests. The tests can reveal if the disease is chronic or another type of hepatitis. The doctor may take a liver biopsy if chronic hepatitis B is suspected. Chronic hepatitis B is treated with drugs that slow the progression of the virus from damaging the liver. In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary if the disease has progressed too far.
Chronic Disease
Treatment for hepatitis B is only done if the disease becomes chronic. That happens when the body cannot get rid of the virus. People are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B the younger they are diagnosed with it. About 90 percent of infected infants eventually develop chronic hepatitis B, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people do not develop symptoms until there is liver damage. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and liver failure. Symptoms of cirrhosis, an often fatal disease, include yellowish skin, swollen stomach or ankles, nausea, tiredness, loss of appetite and weakness.
Avoidance
Vaccines may help people at high risk avoid getting hepatitis B. Ways to protect yourself from getting hepatitis B include wearing a condom during sex, not sharing drug needles or wearing protective gloves if you work in places where blood is present. You should also not borrow another person' toothbrush, razor or other utensil that can have blood on it. People with hepatitis B are told not to donate blood. Some people with chronic hepatitis B do not know it because there are sometimes no symptoms until later on. They can still spread the virus to others. People can still use protective and common sense techniques when coming in contact with bodily fluids to avoid infection.
