About Hepatitis B

This site contains information from government publications about hepatitis B that have been reformatted and reorganized. There are numerous links to the original documents.

The goal is to make the information easier to find and to allow the sharing of information between users.

This is a very big undertaking and you can help me help others. Please add your comments or questions to any topic that concerns you. If you know of additional resources please include links to them.

I am especially looking for:

• Experiences of hepatitis B patients
• Experiences of family members of hepatitis B patients
• Experiences of caregivers experienced with hepatitis B
• Experiences of physicians experienced with hepatitis B
• Experiences of researchers experienced with hepatitis B

• Information about specific hepatitis B products
• Information about specific hepatitis B treatments
• Information about specific hepatitis B medications
• Information about hospitals specializing in the detection and treatment of hepatitis B
• Information about clinics specializing in the treatment of hepatitis B
• Information about physicians specializing in the treatment of hepatitis B

If possible please include:

• Links to hepatitis B websites
• Links to hepatitis B blogs
• Links to hepatitis B news articles
• Links to hepatitis B research articles

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver disease.

Hepatitis (HEP-ah-TY-tis) makes your liver swell and stops it from working right.

You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

What causes hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus.

A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

How could I get hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid.

You could get hepatitis B by

• having sex with an infected person without using a condom
  
  
• sharing drug needles
  
  
• having a tattoo or body piercing done with dirty tools that were used on someone else
  
  
• getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (health care workers can get hepatitis B this way)
  
  
• living with someone who has hepatitis B
  
  
• sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person
  
  
• traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common

An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth or through her breast milk.

You can NOT get hepatitis B by

• shaking hands with an infected person
  
  
• hugging an infected person
  
  
• sitting next to an infected person

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B can make you feel like you have the flu.

You might

• feel tired
  
  
• feel sick to your stomach
  
  
• have a fever
  
  
• not want to eat
  
  
• have stomach pain
  
  
• have diarrhea
  
  

Some people have

• dark yellow urine
  
  
• light-colored stools
  
  
• yellowish eyes and skin
  
  

Some people don't have any symptoms.

If you have symptoms or think you might have hepatitis B, go to a doctor.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

What are the tests for hepatitis B?

To check for hepatitis B, the doctor will test your blood.

These tests show if you have hepatitis B and how serious it is.

The doctor may also do a liver biopsy.

A biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis B and liver damage.

The doctor will take some blood to check for hepatitis B.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

How is hepatitis B treated?

Treatment for hepatitis B may involve

Hepatitis B is treated through shots of medicine.

A drug called interferon (in-ter-FEAR-on). It is given through shots. Most people are treated for 4 months. A drug called lamivudine (la-MIV-you-deen). You take it by mouth once a day. Treatment is usually for one year. A drug called adefovir dipivoxil (uh-DEH-foh-veer dih-pih-VOX-ill). You take it by mouth once a day. Treatment is usually for one year. Surgery. Over time, hepatitis B may cause your liver to stop working. If that happens, you will need a new liver. The surgery is called a liver transplant. It involves taking out the old, damaged liver and putting in a new, healthy one from a donor.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

How can I protect myself from hepatitis B?

You can get the hepatitis B vaccine.

Vaccines protect you from getting hepatitis B.

A vaccine is a drug that you take when you are healthy that keeps you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack certain viruses, like the hepatitis B virus.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given through three shots. All babies should get the vaccine. Infants get the first shot within 12 hours after birth. They get the second shot at age 1 to 2 months and the third shot between ages 6 and 18 months.

Older children and adults can get the vaccine, too. They get three shots over 6 months. Children who have not had the vaccine should get it.

You need all of the shots to be protected. If you are traveling to other countries, make sure you get all the shots before you go. If you miss a shot, call your doctor or clinic right away to set up a new appointment.

You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you

People who touch blood at work should wear gloves to protect themselves from hepatitis B.

• use a condom when you have sex
  
  
• don't share drug needles with anyone
  
  
• wear gloves if you have to touch anyone's blood
  
  
• don't use an infected person's toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it
  
  
• make sure any tattooing or body piercing is done with clean tools

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm

For More Information About Hepatitis B

You can also get information about hepatitis B from these groups:

American Liver Foundation (ALF)
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038-4810
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837),
1-888-4HEP-USA (443-7872),
or (212) 668-1000
Fax: (212) 483-8179
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet: www.liverfoundation.org

Hepatitis B Foundation
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA 18901-2697
Phone: (215) 489-4900
Fax: (215) 489-4920
Email: info@hepb.org
Internet: www.hepb.org

Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI)
504 Blick Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20904-2901
Phone: 1-800-891-0707 or (301) 622-4200
Fax: (301) 622-4702
Email: hfi@comcast.net
Internet: www.hepfi.org

There are other types of hepatitis. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse also has booklets about hepatitis A and hepatitis C:

• What I need to know about Hepatitis A
  
  
• What I need to know about Hepatitis C
  
  

You can get a free copy of each of these booklets by calling 1-800-891-5389 or (301) 654-3810, or by writing to

NDDIC
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Hepatitis information for health professionals is also available.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm