Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. 

You can get Hepatitis B by coming in contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids and saliva.  A mother who carries Hepatitis B can pass it on to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth. 

There are several possible ways you may become infected:

• Sex with an infected person
• Sharing any equipment for injecting or snorting drugs such as needles, straws, rolled up bills, crack pipes, etc.
• Getting tattoos or body piercings where equipment is not properly sterilized
• Blood contact and/or needle stick injuries (i.e. healthcare workers)
• People who were born in parts of the world where Hepatitis B is very common (Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, South America and northern Canada).

Some people with Hepatitis B will have some or all of the following symptoms:

• fatigue, fever, malaise (general discomfort, weakness)
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyeballs)
• dark urine, pale stools
• abdominal (stomach) pain, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite

About 90% will recover from the virus. Their immune system develops antibodies to fight the infection.  While they are fighting the infection, they can still pass it to others.  Some people (9%) will carry the virus forever, and some may develop liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer.  Very few people (1%) will die soon after getting the virus.

Antiviral treatments are available, but can only be administered by medical professionals with specific training in hepatitis care and management.  Make sure that you visit your doctor often and talk about the need to see a specialist.

• GET THE HEPATITIS B VACCINE . Check with your doctor or Health Unit to see if you qualify for a free Hepatitis B vaccine.
• Practice safer sex; always use a condom during sexual intercourse.
• Never share needles or other equipment for injecting drugs or steroids.
• Never share tools for snorting drugs (e.g. straws, rolled up bills, crack pipes, etc.
• Do not touch blood or body fluids without wearing gloves.
• Ensure that tattoo and body piercing businesses sterilize equipment and do not re-use needles.