Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Other types of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D.
Causes
Hepatitis B infection is caused by HBV. You can catch hepatitis B through contact with the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva) of a person who has the virus.
Exposure may occur:
After a needlestick or sharps injury
If any blood or other body fluid touches your skin, eyes or mouth, or open sores or cuts
People who may be at risk of hepatitis B are those who:
Have unprotected sex with an infected partner
Receive blood transfusions (not common in the United States)
Have contact with blood at work (such as health care workers)
Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
Get a tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles
Share needles during drug use
Share personal items (such as toothbrush, razor, and nail clippers) with a person who has the virus
Were born to a hepatitis-B infected mother
All blood used for blood transfusions is screened, so the chance of getting the virus in this way is very small.
Symptoms
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Symptoms have been expanded.
After you first become infected with the HBV:
You may have no symptoms.
You may feel sick for a period of days or weeks.
You may become very ill very quickly (called fulminant hepatitis).
Symptoms of hepatitis B may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms include:
Appetite loss
Fatigue
Low fever
Muscle and joint aches
Nausea and vomiting
Yellow skin and dark urine
Symptoms will go away in a few weeks to months if your body is able to fight off the infection. Some people never get rid of the HBV. This is called chronic hepatitis B.
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