Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD
Patient Handout
HEPATITIS
B
About Your
Diagnosis
Hepatitis is an inflammation
of the liver. There are at least five virus types that cause the disease. One of
the types of viruses is the B virus. More
than
1 million individuals are carriers of
the hepatitis B virus in the United States. About 200,000 individuals contract
this disease each year. Certain racial and ethnic groups have higher rates of
infection, including blacks, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Native
Americans. Hepatitis B is more infectious than the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV). The main ways the hepatitis B virus is transmitted is by sexual contact
with an infected individual, receiving contaminated blood, or from using
nonsterile needles or syringes. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from an
infected mother to her newborn. It is transmitted through infected blood and
other body fluids (seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, breast milk, tears,
saliva, and open sores). As with other types of hepatitis, the method of
transmission in many patients is unknown. Hepatitis B is detected by a blood
test that is positive for the antibody to the virus. Liver function tests are
abnormally elevated, often to very high levels. About 90% of the individuals who
get hepatitis B recover within a few months, and they will never get hepatitis B
again. However hepatitis B is a serious disease. Approximately 1% of patients
die during the acute stage of the disease. Other individuals infected with
hepatitis B become carriers of the disease or become chronically infected. This
occurs in about 10% of adults, 25% to 50% of young children, and 70% to 90% of
infants.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Hepatitis B has a long
incubation period, occasionally taking up to 6 months to become apparent. The
first symptoms may be a variety of rashes, joint pains, and other
“flulike” symptoms. Ultimately jaundice, a yellow color to the skin
or whites of the eyes, may be noted. The jaundice is caused by the excess
bilirubin in the blood. The excess bilirubin can also lead to other symptoms
such as pale or claycolored stools, dark urine, and generalized itching. If the
acute infection does not resolve, the symptoms can vary. Some individuals will
remain well and just be a carrier of the virus. Others will have severe and
persistent liver inflammation. This may eventually lead to cirrhosis and liver
failure. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. The scarring does not allow the
liver to do its job of removing toxic substances from the blood. Cirrhosis can
lead to additional complications, including accumulation of fluid in the body
(ascites) or bleeding from veins in the esophagus (varices). If the liver is
chronically scarred, hepatocellular cancer can
develop.
Treatment
There
is no specific treatment for hepatitis B. Most individuals can be cared for at
home. Proper amounts of rest for 1–4 weeks after the diagnosis of
hepatitis B is made is important. Intimate contact with other individuals should
be avoided during this time. The diet should include foods that are high in
protein. Individuals who have come into contact with the patient should be given
temporary immunization with hepatitis B immune globulin
plus
immunized with hepatitis B vaccine.
This must be given within 2 weeks of exposure. This combination should also be
given to newborns of infected
mothers.
The
DOs
• Bed rest may be necessary
until the jaundice disappears and appetite
returns.
• A well-balanced diet with
plenty of fluids is essential.
• Make
sure you properly wash your hands if you have hepatitis or are caring for
someone with the disease. This is particularly important after contact with
blood or other body fluid.
• An
individual with hepatitis B should use separate or disposable eating and
drinking utensils.
• A latex condom
should be used. It may prevent transmission of the
virus.
• If exposed to blood and body
fluids on the job, use proper protective equipment such as gloves and eye
protection to lessen the chance of accidental
exposure.
• If you are in a high-risk
group, you should receive the hepatitis B vaccine. High-risk groups are health
workers, homosexual men, and household contacts of
carriers.
• All newborns and children
should be immunized with hepatitis B
vaccine.
The
DON’Ts
• Avoid any
substances that may be harmful to the liver. The avoidance of alcohol is
key.
• Fatty foods may not be well
tolerated in individuals with hepatitis B and should be
avoided.
• Avoid sexual contact with
an individual infected with hepatitis
B.
• Avoid contact with blood or
blood products.
• If you have had
hepatitis B, you should not donate blood. All blood is screened for the
hepatitis B virus.
• Women who have
had hepatitis B or have chronic hepatitis B should not breast-feed their
babies.
• If you are an intravenous
drug addict, do not share needles and other equipment because they can be
contaminated with the hepatitis B virus or another
virus.
When to Call Your
Doctor
• If symptoms of hepatitis
B develop.
• If hepatitis B symptoms
do not resolve in 2 or 3 weeks, or if new symptoms
develop.
• If you belong to a
high-risk group for hepatitis B and have not yet been vaccinated against the
disease.