Hep B
Hepatitis B (Hep B) is a contagious, viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Hep B can be chronic, lasting for an extended period of time, or acute, meaning it comes on suddenly, is severe, and lasts for a short time. Hep B can cause chronic liver disease.
At-Risk Populations
If you are at risk for HBV infection, contact your healthcare professional. Early diagnosis will help prevent spreading the disease and protect your liver.
- Anyone who has vaginal and/or anal sex with someone else who is infected with Hep B
- Anyone who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Any man who has sex with other men
- Anyone who lives with someone who has chronic Hep B
- Infants who are born to mothers infected with Hep B
- Anyone who shares needles, syringes, or works for injecting drugs, body piercing, and/or tattooing
- Anyone who shares or handles razors, nail files, combs, toothbrushes, and/or any other personal-care items of someone who has Hep B
- Anyone who is exposed to blood or bodily fluids at work, including healthcare providers, first responders, or people who work with patients who are developmentally disabled
- Anyone who has ever had hemodialysis
- Anyone who travels to countries with moderate to high rates of Hep B
- Anyone who has other health conditions, including lung disease, hypertension or heart disease, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease, that may place them at increased risk of health complications.
- Anyone who uses substances may have additional risk of serious illness from Hep B because they are more likely to have more than one adverse health condition.
Symptoms
Hep B symptoms can start as soon as 6 weeks after being exposed to HBV or as long as 6 months after being exposed. On average, symptoms start 90 days after exposure. Many people with chronic Hep B can be symptom-free for as long as 20 or 30 years. People without symptoms can still infect others.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark-colored urine
- Clay-colored stool
- Joint pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
How It Spreads
You can get Hep B when you:
- Come into contact with the blood, semen, or vaginal fluids of someone who has Hep B
- Use the razors, toothbrushes, or other personal-care items of someone who has Hep B
- Are born to someone who has Hep B
Hep B does not spread by sharing utensils, breastfeeding, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sharing food or water.
Prevention
- Get the Hep B vaccine. The vaccine is usually given as a series of 2-4 shots during a 1-6 month period. You must get all required doses to be fully protected.
- Wear gloves if you have any chance of touching blood or other bodily fluids.
- Don't share or reuse needles for body piercing or tattooing.
- Use only sterile needles, syringes, or other drug use supplies like water, nasal tubes such as straws, cottons, or works. Get free sterile needles and other drug use supplies at a local harm reduction organization.
- Don't share personal-care items, such as toothbrushes, razors, nail files, combs, or washcloths. There may be blood on these items that you cannot see.
- Use a condom every time you have sex. Learn more and get free condoms by mail from RIDOH or at locations statewide.
- If you are a healthcare worker or first responder, always follow universal precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps.
- Go to a licensed body piercer or tattoo artist if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing. Be sure that they do not reuse needles or inks.
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) may be recommended for someone who is exposed to another person who has Hep B. People who might get HBIG include babies born to people who have Hep B or sex partners of people who have Hep B.
If you're infected with HBV:
- Don't donate your blood, body organs, tissue, or sperm.
- Don’t share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal-care items that might have contaminated blood or your bodily fluids on them.
- Cover your cuts and open sores.
- Use only sterile needles, syringes, or other drug use supplies like water, nasal tubes such as straws, cottons, or works. Get free sterile needles and other drug use supplies at a local harm reduction organization.
- Use a condom every time you have sex. Learn more and get free condoms by mail from RIDOH or at locations statewide.
- Talk to your healthcare professional about your sex partner getting tested for HBV.
Testing & Diagnosis
If you think you have been exposed to Hep B, contact your healthcare professional to get an HBV blood test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations advise hepatitis B screening for all adults at least once in their lifetime.
Treatment
Anyone with chronic Hep B should get care from a healthcare professional who specializes in treating hepatitis and should be monitored regularly for signs of liver disease. There are several prescription medications available to treat chronic Hep B. You can also take care of yourself in these ways:
- Rest
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages
- Only take medications approved by your healthcare professional
- Get hepatitis A and hepatitis C vaccinations to protect your liver from these infections