Educate: HBV

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Two billion people (or 1 in 3) have been infected and about 300 million people are living with a chronic hepatitis B infection. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B despite the fact that it is preventable and treatable. 

What is the difference between chronic and acute hepatitis B?

Acute hepatitis B is a new infection, or an infection that someone has had for less than six months. Most healthy adults will naturally clear the virus and not have any further issues.

Chronic hepatitis B is an infection that an adult has had for longer than six months and were not able to clear the virus from their system.

The risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection is directly related to the age at which a person is first exposed to the hepatitis B virus. The younger a person is when they are first infected, the greater the risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection:

• More than 90% of infants that are infected will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection
• Up to 50% of young children between 1 and 5 years who are infected will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection
• 5-10% of healthy adults 19 years and older who are infected will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection (that is, 90% will recover from an exposure)

How does one get hepatitis B?

• Birth: mothers who are infected can pass the hepatitis B virus onto their child
• Blood: coming in contact with infected blood can put you at risk of contracting the virus. This includes wound-to-wound contact, blood transfusions, reusing or sharing needles and syringes, and sharing razors or toothbrushes
• Sex: unprotected sex with an infected person can put you at risk of contracting the virus

HBV is NOT transmitted through food or water. It is not spread through:

• Sharing food or water
• Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
• Tears, sweat, urine, or stool
• Coughing or sneezing
• Hugging or kissing
• Breastfeeding
• Mosquitoes

How can hepatitis B be prevented?

There is a vaccination against the hepatitis B virus that is safe and over 95% effective in preventing infection.

All sexual partners, family and close household members living with a chronically infected person should be tested and vaccinated.

In addition to vaccination, there are other simple ways to help stop the spread of hepatitis B:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any potential exposure to blood
• Use condoms with sexual partners
• Avoid direct contact with blood and bodily fluids
• Clean up blood spills with a fresh diluted bleach solution (mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts water)
• Cover all cuts carefully
• Avoid sharing sharp items such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and earrings or body rings
• Discard sanitary napkins and tampons into plastic bags
• Avoid illegal street drugs (injecting, inhaling, snorting, or popping pills)
• Make sure new, sterile needles are used for ear or body piercing, tattoos, and acupuncture