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How do I know if I have Hepatitis B?
As with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis can be detected through blood screening.
Symptoms include:
Persistent flu-like symptoms Lethargic state Abdominal or joint pain Jaundice (a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, and in some cases
a yellowing of the skin) Dark-colored urine Light-colored bowel movements Fevers Headache Hives Lack of Appetite Nausea and/or vomiting
Symptoms occur between one and nine months following
transmission, if at all. Many people have mild symptoms, and some show
none. Hepatitis can be transmitted even if there are no symptoms. There
are about 200,000 new cases each year. Roughly 1.5 Americans have hepatitis
B. People with hepatitis may require hospitalization. About 5,000 people
die from hepatitis B each year. These numbers have gone down because
of the availabaility of a hepatitis B vaccination. Severe and untreated
cases of Hepatitis B can be fatal.
How Can I Get Hepatitis B?
Oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone with hepatitis B; sharing needles
with someone with hepatitis B; contact with infected blood. Hepatitis
B is highly contagious.
What Happens If I Don't Get Treated?
Risk of transmitting hepatitis B to sexual partners. Permanent and severe damage to the liver. Possible development of chronic hepatitis B, which is incurable.
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A pregnant mother with hepatitis B risks giving
it to her child during childbirth. 90% of these develop chronic
hepatitis B, which is incurable
Death.
Can Hepatitis be Cured?
While there aren't medical treatments available, with bed rest, most
people's bodies can fight it by itself. Recovery usually takes between
4 to 8 weeks, but you should be under a doctor's care throughout attempted
recovery. Some people never recover from hepatitis B and develop chronic
hepatitis B, which is incurable. A vaccine for hepatitis B exists and
is easy and painless.
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