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Home » Communicable disease facts » Hepatitis B

Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology
Hepatitis B Fact Sheet

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What is Hepatitis B?

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Symptoms

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How is Hepatitis B spread?

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Diagnosis and treatment

gray bullet Prevention
gray bullet Who should get hepatitis B vaccine?
gray bullet What is Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)?
gray bullet Related resources

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that causes infection of the liver.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms usually begin 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure to the virus (average 2 months). The duration of illness varies; most people recover within 3 weeks.
  • In adults, early symptoms can include nausea (upset stomach), loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal cramps (stomach or side pain).
  • Dark yellow or brown urine, pale or white-colored stools (bowel movements), and jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) may also be present.
  • Persons can have all or only a few of the above signs and symptoms.
  • Nearly all infants and children and 50% of adults with a new infection have no symptoms whatsoever.
  • Over 90% of infants, 50% of children, and 5% of adults with acute hepatitis B will develop chronic or long-term infection.
  • Chronic hepatitis B may lead to liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

How is Hepatitis B spread?

  • The virus lives in the liver and is present in the blood and certain body fluids.
  • Spread occurs through contact with virus-containing blood and body fluids, such as sharing of injection drug equipment, sexual contact (homosexual and heterosexual), during childbirth, household contact with a person who has hepatitis B, and sharing of personal hygiene items (such as nail clippers, razors, toothbrushes).
  • The amount of virus is highest in blood and serous fluid (yellowish or clear fluid that drains from cuts/sores) but is also present in smaller amounts in semen, vaginal fluids, and menstrual blood.
  • Although small amounts of virus can be found in saliva, saliva is not likely to spread hepatitis B, unless saliva from an infected person gets into a cut or sore, for example, following a bite.
  • Hepatitis B is not spread by kissing or sneezing.

Diagnosis and treatment

  • Hepatitis B is diagnosed with blood tests.
  • There is no medicine or treatment for acute hepatitis B.
  • Rest, a low fat diet, and plenty of fluids are recommended. Avoid drugs and alcohol during any acute (new) illness.

Prevention

  • If you use injection drugs, do not share needles, drugs, mixing solution, tourniquets, or works.
  • Practice safe sex: use condoms for any sexual activity, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
  • Do not share personal hygiene items, such as razors, nail clippers or files, toothbrushes, or washcloths.
  • Cover all cuts and open sores with a bandage.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection against hepatitis B for many years. The vaccination series consists of 3 doses given over 6 months.

Who should get hepatitis B vaccine?

  • All babies and children 19 years of age or younger.
  • Gay and bisexual men.
  • Anyone with more than one sex partner in a 6 month period.
  • Illicit drug users (injection and non-injection).
  • International travelers to areas where hepatitis B is common (includes all areas of the world except Canada, Western Europe & Scandinavia, New Zealand & Australia.)
  • Health care and public safety workers with exposure to blood in the workplace.
  • Persons with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C.
  • Household contacts and sexual partners of persons with hepatitis B.
  • Persons born in countries with high rates of hepatitis B and their family members.
  • Persons with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophiliacs.
  • Clients in institutions for the developmentally disabled.
  • Alaska Natives and Pacific Islanders.
  • Patients receiving chronic kidney dialysis (hemodialysis).
  • Anyone else who wants protection against hepatitis B.

What is Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)?

  • Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is a blood plasma product that can prevent hepatitis B if given within 14 days of an exposure to an infected individual.
  • HBIG is effective 85-90% of the time and protects against hepatitis B for about 3 months.
  • HBIG is necessary if the exposed person has not been vaccinated against hepatitis B and has never had a hepatitis B infection.
  • HBIG is given in combination with the 3 dose hepatitis B vaccine series after exposure to the blood or sexual body fluids of a person with hepatitis B.
  • HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine may be recommended for you if you have had sexual contact or a blood exposure from someone who has hepatitis B.

Related resources

Resources from Public Health - Seattle & King County:

External websites:

key links:

immunizations iconDisease Fact Sheets
Facts and FAQs about reportable diseases in Washington State including publications and reports.

Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance
If you are currently not insured for medical care, visit our Affordable Health health insurance iconCare webpages to see if you qualify.

Needle ExchangeKing County Needle Exchange Program
Needle exchange is designed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne infections among injection drug users, their families and communities.

sharps disposal binSafe, legal and free disposal of sharps

Drop off your container of used sharps at a Public Health Clinic, syringe drop box, recycling and disposal station or your local Needle Exchange.

Plain Talk About Child Immunizations
Facts about Plain Talk About Child Immunizationschildhood immunization; vaccine preventable disease, vaccine safety, the immune system and how vaccines work, legal requirements, and more.

spinning globeTravel Clinics
When you're traveling abroad, a travel assessment by the travel clinic nurse provides information and emphasizes the best ways to prevent travel-related illnesses.

Updated: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 at 11:22 AM

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. For more information please call (206) 296-4600 (voice) or (206) 296-4631 (TTY Relay service). Mailing address: ATTN: Communications Team, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104 or click here to email us.

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