What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Your liver is an important organ located on the right side of your abdomen, under your ribs. It helps your body by:
• Breaking down the food you eat
• Helping your blood clot when you get injured
• Removing harmful substances from your body
Several viruses can cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Each type is different and spreads in different ways.
What causes hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with blood or body fluids from someone who has the virus.
In the United States, hepatitis B is most often spread through:
• Sharing needles or other equipment during drug use
• Getting tattoos or piercings with tools that are not properly cleaned
• Sharing toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items that may have blood on them
• Having sex without protection, such as condoms
In areas where hepatitis B is more common, the virus can also spread from a mother to her baby during childbirth.
The hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days, which is why proper hygiene and prevention are important.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
Many people with hepatitis B do not have symptoms and may not know they are infected. Even without symptoms, the virus can still be present in the body and spread to others.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
• Dark-colored urine
• Light-colored stools
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Diagnosing hepatitis B
Your provider will use blood tests to diagnose hepatitis B and understand how the virus is affecting your health.
Testing may include:
• Liver function tests to check liver enzymes, bilirubin, albumin, and blood clotting ability (INR)
• Hepatitis B tests to look for parts of the virus (antigens) and your body’s response to the virus (antibodies)
• HBV DNA testing to measure the amount of virus in your blood
Your provider may also check for liver scarring. This can be done with:
• Elastography, a painless test that uses ultrasound technology to measure liver stiffness
• FIB-4, a blood test that helps estimate liver scarring
• Liver biopsy, which removes a small piece of liver tissue for examination and is used less often today
Treatment for hepatitis B
Many adults who become infected with hepatitis B are able to clear the virus on their own within about 6 months. After recovering, the body develops protection against future infection.
Some people develop chronic (long-term) hepatitis B. If the virus is active and causing liver damage, treatment may be needed.
Treatment may include:
• Antiviral medications taken by mouth to slow or stop the virus from making copies of itself
• Regular follow-up visits and blood tests to monitor treatment and liver health
These medicines work well for many people and usually have few side effects.
Do not stop taking hepatitis B medications without talking with your healthcare provider first. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause the virus to become active again and may lead to liver inflammation.
Living with hepatitis B
Taking steps to protect your liver can help reduce the risk of complications.
Recommendations may include:
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A if you have not already been vaccinated
• Complete regular liver cancer screenings if you are at higher risk, which may include an ultrasound and AFP blood test every 6 months
• Get a flu vaccine every year
• Ask your provider about pneumonia vaccines recommended for people with liver disease
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking, as both can worsen liver damage
• Eat a healthy diet and stay physically active
Preventing the spread of hepatitis B
If you have hepatitis B, you can help protect others by:
• Using condoms during sex
• Never sharing needles or drug equipment
• Wearing gloves if you may come into contact with another person’s blood
• Not sharing toothbrushes, razors, or personal items that may contain blood
• Making sure tattoos and piercings are done with clean, sterile equipment
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is recommended for people who have not already been vaccinated.
Contact us
If you have questions about hepatitis B or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 612-871-1145 or schedule an appointment online.
Additional Resources for Hepatitis B:
American Liver Foundation
www.liverfoundation.org
1-800-GO-Liver
Hepatitis B Foundation
www.hepb.org
215-489-4900
