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Hepatitis B

Description

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver.

Transmission

It is transmitted by infected blood or cum entering a person’s bloodstream through activities like unprotected fucking, sharing injecting equipment, toothbrushes or razors, oral sex, tattooing or body piercing with unsterile equipment.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms, which if they are present, will show up 1-6 months after exposure, may include loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea,  yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and dark urine.

Testing

Hepatitis B can be detected by a blood test.

Treatment

Most people recover from Hepatitis B. Some retain the virus in their body – there are treatments available for these people. See your doctor.

If You’re HIV Positive

Co-infection with both HIV and Hepatitis B may lead to more rapid progression of Hepatitis B to liver cancer. Treatment for Hepatitis B may also be less successful and limited by resistance to some antiviral medications that may already have been used for HIV treatment.

Prevention

There is an effective Hepatitis B vaccination. A combination Hepatitis A and B vaccination is also available. See your doctor.

This page was last updated 23 July 2008