Do you know that Hepatitis B is also a sexually transmitted infection?

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus that affects the liver.

How do you get Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is found in certain bodily fluids of someone who has hepatitis B: semen (cum), vaginal fluid and blood.

You can get Hepatitis B if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who has Hepatitis B.

You can get Hepatitis B if you share needles or other drug use equipment with someone who has Hepatitis B.

A pregnant woman with Hepatitis B can pass it on to their baby during vaginal delivery.

You cannot get hepatitis B:

You cannot get Hepatitis B from water, food or casual contact.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with hepatitis B don't know they have it, because they don't have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may just feel like you have the flu. Symptoms include:

• Feeling very tired.
• Mild fever.
• Headache
• Not wanting to eat.
• Feeling sick in your stomach or vomiting
• Belly pain.
• Tan-colored bowel movements (stools).
• Dark urine.
• Yellowish eyes and skin (jaundice). Jaundice usually appears only after other symptoms have started to go away.

 Remember:  Most people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms

How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?
A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have the hepatitis B virus now or if you had it in the past. Your doctor also may be able to tell if you have had the vaccine to prevent the virus.

  
How is it treated?
In most cases, hepatitis B goes away on its own. You can relieve your symptoms at home by resting, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Also, find out from your doctor what medicines and herbal products to avoid, because some can make liver damage caused by hepatitis B worse.
Treatment for chronic hepatitis B depends on whether your infection is getting worse and whether you have liver damage. Most people with chronic hepatitis B can live active, full lives by taking good care of themselves and getting regular checkups. There are medicines for chronic hepatitis B, but they may not be right for everyone. Work with your doctor to decide if medicine is right for you.
Sometimes, chronic hepatitis B can lead to severe liver damage. If this happens, you may need a liver transplant.


How is it prevented?

       1. You can prevent contracting Hepatitis B by taking a vaccination for it.

     

     2.  By using a condom if you are not sure of the status of your sexual partner.