Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a serious disease. Each year, thousands of people of all ages get hepatitis B and about 5,000 die of chronic (life-long) liver problems caused by hepatitis B infection. A person who has had other types of hepatitis, such as hepatitis A or hepatitis C, can still get hepatitis B.
Who is at risk?
• Infants born to an infected mother,
• Persons who have sex with an infected person or multiple partners,
• IV drug users,
• Emergency responders and healthcare workers,
• Homosexual men, or
• Patients with kidney disease who are required to undergo blood filtration (hemodialysis).
What if I am pregnant?
Your baby can get infected with HBV during birth, but this can be prevented.
• Make sure that your baby gets a shot called hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth,
• Ask your doctor when your baby should get the next doses of hepatitis B vaccine, and
• Your baby should get a blood test after the vaccine series is completed to be sure he or she is protected.
It is okay for you to breastfeed your baby. Be sure to take care of your nipple to prevent cracking and bleeding.
How is hepatitis B spread?
HBV is spread by exposure to blood or body fluids from an infected person. You may have been infected if:
• your mother was infected with hepatitis B when you were born,
• you had sex with an infected person,
• you lived with an infected person,
• you shot street drugs or shared objects contaminated with blood, or
• you are a healthcare worker and exposed to infected blood at work.
How do you know if you have hepatitis B?
Only a blood test can tell for certain. See your doctor if you have symptoms of hepatitis B, such as:
• Extreme tiredness,
• Loss of appetite,
• Joint pain,
• Yellow skin or eyes,
• Dark tea-colored urine, or
• If you think you have had direct contact with someone who has hepatitis B.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Some individuals who are ill with hepatitis B do not have symptoms.
For those that do, symptoms can appear anywhere from 45 to 180 days, however, the average incubation period is 8 to 12 weeks.
• 9 out of every 10 adults will get rid of the virus from their bodies after a few months. We say they have acute hepatitis B.
• 1 out of every 10 adults will never get rid of the virus from their bodies. They are said to have chronic hepatitis B.
Is there a treatment for hepatitis B?
There are medicines that might lower your chance of getting severe liver disease.
Check with your doctor to find out if medicines might help you.
How can I prevent getting hepatitis B?
• Get vaccinated!!
• Practice safer sex.
• Do not share anything that might have blood on it. This includes drugs, needles, razors or toothbrushes.
• Handle needles and sharp items safely.
How can you not spread HBV?
You cannot spread HBV by:
• Sneezing or coughing,
• Kissing or hugging,
• Breastfeeding,
• Food or water,
• Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or
• Casual contact (such as an office setting)
YOU SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM WORK, SCHOOL, OR OTHER DAILY ACTIVITIES BECAUSE YOU HAVE HEPATITIS B.
What should you know about keeping others from getting infected with hepatitis B?
• Proper use of a latex condom every time you have sex may reduce the risk of exposure,
• Cover your cuts and open sores,
• Do not share anything that might have blood on it, such as a toothbrush or razor,
• Do not donate your blood, body organs, other tissues or sperm, and
• Clean blood spills with a mixture of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts cold water.
For more information on Hepatitis B, visit:
Tulsa Health Department
(918) 595-4505
epidemiology@tulsa-health.org
HCV Advocate
www.hcvadvocate.org
Oklahoma State Department of Health
(405) 271-4636
www.state.health.ok.us
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(888) 443-7232
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis
Contact the THD Immunizations Department at 918-582-9355 for information on how you can get vaccinated.
To download a printable brochure version of this information click here.