Hepatitis B: What to Know

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that's caused by a germ, also called a virus. The germ can spread from person to person. This means it's contagious.

• Acute hepatitis B. This may last for 6 months or less.
• Long-term, or chronic, hepatitis B. This lasts for more than 6 months. It can lead to serious liver problems.

Most adults with acute hepatitis B don't get chronic hepatitis B. Babies and young children who get hepatitis B are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than adults.

What are the causes?

• Semen.
• Vaginal fluids.
• Breast milk.

The germ doesn't spread when a person coughs or sneezes.

What increases the risk?

• Having contact with needles or syringes that have the germ on them. This may happen when:
  • Injecting drugs.
  • Getting a tattoo or body piercing.
  • Getting a treatment where thin needles are put in your skin. This is called acupuncture.
• Not using a condom during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Living with or having close contact with a person who has hepatitis B.
• Working in a job where you have contact with blood or body fluids, such as in health care.
• Traveling to a country where this condition is common.
• Getting kidney dialysis. This is treatment to clean your blood.
• Having been given donated blood (blood transfusion) or an organ transplant.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Not wanting to eat as much as normal.
• A fever.
• Feeling tired.
• Throwing up or feeling like you may throw up.
• Belly pain or joint pain.
• Dark yellow pee (urine), light-colored poop, or both.
• Jaundice. This is when your skin or the white parts of your eyes turn yellow.
• Itchy skin.

Often, there are no symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Blood tests.

How is this treated?

• Lower your risk of serious liver problems.
• Lower the risk that you'll spread the germ to others.

You'll need to avoid taking certain medicines that can lead to liver damage.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take medicines only as told.
• If you were given an antiviral medicine, take it as told. Do not stop taking it even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take:
  • Over-the-counter medicines that have acetaminophen in them.
  • New medicines unless your health care provider says it's OK. This includes over-the-counter medicines or supplements.

Activity

• Rest as needed.
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
• Ask what things are safe for you to do at home. Ask when you can go back to work or school.
• Avoid swimming and using hot tubs until your provider says this is OK.

Eating and drinking

• Drink more fluids as told.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• If you feel like you may throw up or you do throw up, try to:
  • Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods in small amounts as you are able. These foods include bananas, applesauce, rice, lean meats, toast, and crackers.
  • Drink clear fluids slowly and in small amounts as you are able. Clear fluids include water, low-calorie sports drinks, and fruit juice that has water added (diluted fruit juice). You can also try sucking on ice chips.

General instructions

• Do not share toothbrushes, nail clippers, or razors.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can't use soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make sure you wash your hands:
  • After you use the bathroom.
  • After you change diapers.
  • Before you touch food or water.
• Tell your provider about people you live with or have close contact with. They may need the hepatitis B shot (vaccine).
• Cover any cuts or open sores on your skin. This helps keep you from spreading the germ.
• Keep all follow-up visits. You may need to have tests to make sure your liver is healing.

Where to find more information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov. Then:
  1. Click "Search" and type "hepatitis B."
  2. Find the link you need.
• World Health Organization: who.int

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have new symptoms.