Hepatitis B
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is transmitted through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. A vaccine protects against HBV. Infection can be acute or chronic and can lead to serious health problems including liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death.
Statistics
According to the CDC, there were about 14,000 estimated acute hepatitis B infections in 2020 and the number of people with the disease decreased by 32% compared with 2019, possibly because more people were tested during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Symptoms
- •Fatigue
- •Abdominal pain
- •Loss of appetite
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Joint pain
- •Dark urine
- •Weakness and fatigue
- •Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Diagnosis
Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a blood test that checks for the presence of HBV and measures liver enzyme levels.
Treatment
There is no cure for hepatitis B, but antiviral medications and other therapies can manage the disease, suppress the virus and reduce the risk of liver damage.
Prevention
The best prevention is vaccination against hepatitis B. Additionally, practicing safer sex, avoiding sharing needles or syringes, and using caution when getting tattoos or body piercings help prevent infection.
Sources
- Written by Love Hurts, Inc. (Medically reviewed by Kecia Gaither, MD on March 31, 2024)
- CDC: “HBV Infection”
- Mayo Clinic: “Hepatitis B”
- WebMD: “Hepatitis B”
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