|
Type of
infection: |
Viral |
|
Infectious Organism: |
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) |
|
Location in the body: |
Blood and other body
fluids (saliva, semen, vaginal fluid).
|
|
Symptoms: |
30%
have no symptoms.
Jaundice (yellow
skin or eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite.
|
|
Method
of spread: |
Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water or by casual
contact.
Sexual activity
(vaginal/anal sex).
I.V. drug use.
Contact with blood.
Infected mother to
her baby during birth.
|
|
Consequences: |
Liver disease
resulting in death in 15-25% of chronically infected persons (cirrhosis,
cancer); 5,000 deaths each year.
|
|
Number
of new cases per year: |
80,000 |
|
Total
number infected now: |
1,250,000 people are
“hepatitis B carriers”; they carry the virus and can infect others for
the rest of their lives.
|
|
Tests
to see if you have it: |
Blood test |
|
Treatment: |
No cure but medications
available to help control the disease.
Vaccine available
to prevent infection; get vaccinated.
|
