Hepatitis B

Every year nearly 9 million people under the age of 25 get a new STI (sexually transmitted infection).¹ One of these infections is hepatitis B. If you've had sex, you could have an STI. Some STIs cause symptoms. Others don't. You could have one and not know it. Some STIs make you sick today and others can cause problems later in life. These include serious problems like cancer or infertility. Some can even kill you.

What is hepatitis B and how do you get it?
Hepatitis B is a serious viral STI that affects the liver. Because it is transmitted through blood and body fluids,² you can get it from having sex or sharing needles with an infected person. Babies can get it from their mothers during pregnancy. Although many infected people have no symptoms, they can still pass on hepatitis B.

Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
Hepatitis B can also be passed during anal sex. Because the virus that causes hepatitis B can be found in saliva and other body fluids, it may be possible to pass hepatitis B during oral sex.²

What happens if I'm infected?
You may have no symptoms at all. On the other hand, you could have symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite and nausea. You skin or eyes could look yellow. Although most people get over their hepatitis B infections, some people have it for life. Life-long infection can cause liver damage, cancer and death.

How do you treat hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B can be treated with medication. But treatment is expensive, has side effects and only works for some people. Your baby needs a special vaccination if you have hepatitis B and you are pregnant.³

Am I safe if I always use a condom?
Considering the way hepatitis B is transmitted, always using condoms may reduce your chance of getting it.

Is there anything else I can do to reduce my chance of getting infected?
Hepatitis B vaccine is very effective. It is recommended for all children and household contacts of people with life-long infections. It is also recommended for people who shoot drugs as well as males who have sex with males.

What can I do to avoid getting infected?
Don't shoot drugs. Never get a tattoo or body piercing from an uncertified place. Avoid sexual activity if you are single. Be faithful to one uninfected partner for the rest of your life. Already had sex? See a doctor and get checked.

References
1 Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health; 2004;36(1):6-10.
2 Lemon SM, Alter AJ. Viral hepatitis. In: Holmes KK, Mardh PA, Sparling PF, et al., eds. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, Co.; 1999:361-384.
3 Baker DA. Hepatitis B infection in pregnancy. In: Mead PB, Hager WD, Faro S, eds. Protocols for Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science; 2000:208-214.

Authored by: Sheetal Malhotra, MBBS, MS
Date: May 2007
Reviewed by: Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH
Date: July 2009