The Hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant (synthetic) vaccine. It is administered as a series of either three injections over a six-month period or two injections over one month. The vaccine provides lifetime protection against Hepatitis B and is recommended for those at increased risk, including healthcare workers, people with multiple sexual partners, people who use illegal drugs, people with chronic liver disease, newborns and any adults who wish to protect themselves from Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a viral liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is primarily spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, such as through sexual contact, sharing needles or other personal items contaminated with HBV, or from mother to baby during childbirth. Chronic infection with HBV can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Chronic carriers of Hepatitis B are found in approximately 8% of the population in developing countries, whereas the percentage of the population with Hepatitis B is around 2% in developed countries. Therefore, a traveler's risk of being exposed to Hepatitis B through blood is much greater during travel in underdeveloped countries. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine.
How Do You Contract Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is primarily spread through contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. This can occur through:
- Sexual contact
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other personal items contaminated with HBV
- From mother to baby during childbirth
- Exposure to needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with HBV in healthcare settings
- Receiving a transfusion of contaminated blood or an organ transplant from an infected donor.
The symptoms of Hepatitis B can include:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Low-grade fever
- Muscle pain
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure to the virus and can last several weeks to several months. However, some people with HBV may not have any symptoms at all, or the symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. Chronic HBV infection can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, without any noticeable symptoms.
There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but antiviral medications can help manage the virus and reduce the risk of complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Antiviral treatment may last for several months to several years, depending on the individual case. In some cases, people with chronic HBV can clear the virus on their own without treatment, but close monitoring by a doctor is still important. If you have symptoms of Hepatitis B or have been exposed to the virus, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.