HBV causes one of the most serious forms of hepatitis. This disease is more common and much more contagious than AIDS. Approximately 1.2 million Americans are currently infected with HBV. Hepatitis B may develop into a chronic (lasting more than 6 months) disease in up to 10% of patients. If left untreated, the risk of developing cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer is increased.
Who is at risk for hepatitis B?
People who are at high risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus include health care workers, people with multiple sex partners, intravenous drug users, anyone who has a tattoo or body piercing, blood transfusion recipients prior to routine screening of donated blood, hemophiliacs, and those who are in close household contact with an infected person or have sex with an infected person. In the general population, approximately one third of cases result from unknown sources.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
Most people who get hepatitis B have no recognizable signs or symptoms. But some people do experience flu-like symptoms, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and mild abdominal pain. Not-so-common symptoms are dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). The only way the disease can be positively identified is through a blood test.
