What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B can be a serious disease. The virus is
usually contracted through sharing any drug injection equipment
or during sex. Most adults who get the disease recover from it
and can never get it again. However, about 10% of adults who
get the disease will carry the virus for a long time and during
this time can pass it on to others. Carriers have the virus in
their body fluids and can infect sex partners. Each year in the
US, almost 80,000 because infected with hepatitis B, and there
are about 1.2 million in the US with chronic hepatitis B infection.
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What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
Some people with hepatitis B show little or no signs of the
disease. But, a variety of symptoms, including: jaundice (a
yellowing of the eyes and skin), weakness, feeling ill, loss
of appetite, fever, headaches, dark colored urine, pale/gray
bowel movements, low-grade fever, headache, loss of appetite,
muscle aches, stomach pain, and fatigue.
Of course, a lot of these symptoms may be indications of other
diseases and that’s why it’s important to get
tested if you are experiencing these symptoms.
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Why get tested?
There is a 3-dose vaccine that prevents hepatitis
B and all MSM who are sexually active and/or using injection
drugs should be vaccinated. You can get a simple blood test to
show if you have been exposed or infected in the past (and are
therefore already immune and do not need the vaccine. Also,
some people may have a chronic infection and don’t need
the vaccine).
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How is hepatitis B treated?
Most people with acute hepatitis B infection get better
without treatment. For those who go on to develop chronic hepatitis
B, there are some treatments available. There is a vaccine that
prevents the spread of hepatitis B therefore you should get vaccinated. Hepatitis
B vaccination only protects against hepatitis B and not other
types of viral hepatitis.
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How can I protect myself and my
partners from hepatitis B?
Vaccination is the best prevention for both you and
your sexual partners.
If you’re already infected with hepatitis B, avoid alcohol
and make sure you’re vaccinated for hepatitis A if you’re
at risk. The best way to prevent infecting others is to avoid
passing your bodily fluids to others. This means using condoms
when you have sex and not sharing any drug injection equipment.
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What do I need to know about Hepatitis
A and HIV?
Hepatitis B can be a serious illness for someone with
HIV. If you have chronic hepatitis B, make sure your HIV care
provider is aware of your infection. As with any chronic liver
infection, see a medical provider regularly, avoid alcohol and
make sure you’re vaccinated for hepatitis A if you’re
at risk.
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