Hepatitis B Health Video

Hepatitis B is liver inflammation that results from a DNA virus. Learn more about hepatitis B, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.

Take Action

Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B
Use protective gear when coming in contact with body fluids
Follow all of your doctor's recommendations

About this Author

Dr. Ulrich joined On Call Medical Group in 2006. She had previously practiced at Doctors Medical Center in Richmond, Calif., and prior to that worked with the uninsured and homeless population of San Francisco at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Throughout her medical career, Dr. Ulrich as also been involved in numerous medical research studies. Dr. Ulrich holds a B.S. from Harvard University, an M.P.H. for the University of California at Berkeley, and an M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

SKYLAR ULRICH, MD: Hi. I'm Dr. Skylar Ulrich. I'm going to talk about hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted through body fluids. Any activity that transfers blood or body fluids underneath the skin can transmit hepatitis B. This includes tattooing, acupuncture, ear piercing, sexual contact, use of toothbrushes, or perinatally. Most commonly, it is transmitted by IV drug abuse, sexual contact, or in developing countries by perinatal transmission. Symptoms vary widely from person to person. After a prodromal period, there is the development of nausea and vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain, anorexia, and general malaise. The incubation period is generally one to four months and the duration of the illness is generally one to two months. Approximately, 0.1% of people with hepatitis B infection will progress to chronic infection and/or cirrhosis of the liver. The disease is self-limiting most of the time. Treatment is generally supportive. Symptoms should resolve after one to three months. Diagnosis is made by clinical history as well as hepatitis B IgM core antibody titers as well as hepatitis B surface antigen titers. Prevention: The most important thing for prevention of hepatitis B is vaccination. This is a vaccine-preventable disease. Also, for any healthcare workers or people who may come in contact with body fluids, using universal precautions is very important, which means always using gloves and a face mask and protective eyewear when coming in contact with body fluids. Screening of blood supply has also been a very effective way of reducing the transmission of hepatitis B.