Now let's look at hepatitis B virus. It reproduces in the liver causing inflammation and possibly
cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. When first infected, a person can develop
an "acute" infection, which can range in severity from a very mild illness with few or no symptoms
to a serious condition requiring hospitalization. Acute hepatitis B, which means sudden onset
and short term, refers to the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis
B virus.
Some people are able to fight the infection and clear the virus. 90% or more of adults
and older children who contract hepatitis B are likely to clear the virus from their
systems within a few months and develop a full immunity. About 10% become chronic--
the virus stays in the blood-- infecting liver cells, damaging them over time, and causing
illness such as cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
Infants and young children are most at risk from chronic infections, complications, and
death. Further, in most children, the virus is a silent killer. It destroys the liver
or induces liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis often over a period of 20 years
or more.
It is estimated that up to 1.2 million people in the US have chronic HBV infection. About
38,000 people per year become infected with HBV. Each year, about 3,000 people die as
a result of liver disease caused by HBV. Infections have significantly decreased since 1990 because
of routine hepatitis B virus vaccination.
Symptoms are unreliable and may or may not be present. Only a blood test can determine
the infection. Symptoms may include: yellow skin (jaundice)
yellowing eyes tiredness
loss of appetite nausea
dark urine joint pain
abdominal discomfort fever
Hepatitis B is unique in that it's 100 times easier to catch than HIV. This is because
the virus is very small compared to HIV. Also, Hepatitis B Virus can live outside of body
for at least 7 days and much longer in the right conditions.
Hepatitis B virus is primarily spread by sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles
and/or syringes. It can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth,
or from contact with blood and body fluids through breaks in the skin such as bites,
cuts, or sores. People who are chronically infected can spread hepatitis B virus to others,
even if they don't look or feel sick. However, like HIV it is not spread by casual
contact like handshakes, hugging, doorknobs, using the same equipment, toilets, water fountains,
etc.
Unlike HIV or hepatitis C, there is a vaccine for hepatitis B. It usually is given in 3
doses given over a 6 month period.
Hepatitis B vaccine is made from non-infectious material and cannot cause HBV infection. It
is a safe vaccine where severe problems or allergic reactions are still rare.
HBV vaccine is 80 to 95% effective in providing protection from hepatitis B when the complete
series of three doses of vaccine are administered. It is wise to have an immunity confirmed through
antibody testing 1-2 months after the vaccine. Booster doses of hepatitis B vaccine are not
recommended at this time. The HBV vaccine must be offered free to employees
who face occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Employees who do not want the vaccine
must complete a vaccine declination form. Occupationally exposed employees include those
who: Administer first aid
Provide medical aid to students Assist in bathroom care
Work in medical or dental offices Perform custodial duties involving the cleaning
and decontamination of surfaces that may be contaminated with blood and or other potentially
infections materials (OPIM). Handle Regulated medical waste
In general, any people with jobs that expose them to human blood or other body fluids must
be offered the hepatitis B vaccine free of charge.