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What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a very serious liver infection. Anyone who is infected with the virus will experience fatigue, jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting, joint pain, abdominal pain and/or a loss of appetite. For most people, that will be the end of it and their bodies will produce antibodies (germ fighters) to ensure that they are never infected with Hepatitis B again. For some people (especially children) Hepatitis B can become chronic (long lasting). The chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer or can even be fatal.

CHRONIC INFECTION OCCURS IN:

90% of infants are infected with the virus at birth
30% of children are infected at age 1 - 5 years
6% of persons are infected after age 5 years

This is why it is so crucial that all children 0-18 be vaccinated for Hepatitis B. If you know that you were never vaccinated ask your doctor.

Hepatitis B is transmitted when infected blood or body fluids enter the body of a person who is not immune to the virus. This can happen several ways including:

Having sex with an infected person
Sharing drugs or needles
Exposure through your job
An infected mother passing it along to her baby during birth
Unsanitary conditions at tattoo or body piercing businesses

Quick Facts

30 % of sufferers show no outward symptoms.

The highest rate of Hepatitis B occurs in 20-49 year olds.

There are estimated to be about 1.25 million chronically infected Americans.

Of those infected, 20-30% acquired their infection during childhood.

The information provided on this site should not replace your physician’s advice.