Hepatitis B

Estimated number of new cases each year in the U.S.: 73,000
Statistics: Number of new infections declining each year due to vaccinations, with highest incidence rates observed among 25-39 year-olds.
Caused by: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Symptoms: About 30% of people infected have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms include: jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or joint pain.
Transmission: Spread by:
  • Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone infected
  • Sharing needles with an infected person
  • Intimate contact/exchange with blood or body fluids from infected person
  • Mother to child during birth
Treatment: No cure.
If Untreated: Can lead to chronic HBV infection or chronic liver disease, which can be life-threatening.
Risk Reduction:
  • Get the Hepatitis B vaccine if you were not already vaccinated as a child (Vaccinations began in 1982.)
  • Use latex barriers correctly every time you have sex.
  • Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners.
  • Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one partner you know is not infected.
  • Do not share needles.
  • If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a health care provider.

Source for information on this page: CDC Division of STD Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html

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