Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and has no cure. It can be asymptomatic or with mild symptoms such as loss of appetite and nausea, or it can progress to a serious disease picture such as lifelong infection, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death. The best protection against HBV is to prevent the virus from being transmitted in the first place. |Transmission of HBVv:
HBV is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or from an infected mother to her newborn. |Vaccination ?
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended by medical, scientific and public health agencies as a safe and effective method for preventing illness and death.
There has been much debate about the risk that the small amount of mercury in the thimerosal (preservative in the vaccine) in hepatitis B vaccines may pose to newborns who receive the vaccine, but new vaccines that do not contain thimerosal have now become available. Many scientific studies have shown that this vaccine is very safe and has no association with other chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Many health organizations in the United States recommend that this vaccine be given routinely to children. Preventing the Transmission of Hepatitis B:
If you or your partner has HBV infection, use a condom during sexual intercourse.
If someone you have sexual intercourse with has hepatitis B, get tested; if you have not yet been infected, get vaccinated.
If you live with someone who has HBV infection, get tested and get vaccinated if you are not yet infected.
If you are pregnant, you should be screened for HBV infection; if the infection is present or your status is not known for sure, your child should be given the hepatitis B vaccine within a few hours of birth.
· Avoid contact with blood or other body fluids of people infected with HBV.|People with Hepatitis B Infection:
Things to do:
Wash your hands after touching blood or other body fluids.
· Throw away used tissues, pads and tampons in paper bags.
·Cover all open wounds and cuts on your body.
·See your doctor every 6 months to 1 year to be checked for liver-related abnormalities.|What Not to Do:
Do not share gum, toothbrushes, razors, towels or any other items that may come into contact with your blood or other body fluids.
·Do not give chewed food to babies.
Do not donate blood, plasma, organs, tissue or sperm.
Do not share the syringes or needles you use with others.
