Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is an infectious virus that affects the liver. It is found in the blood, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva of an infected person. Once the virus enters the body, it can take between 2 to 6 months for symptoms to appear. Most adults will get rid of the virus following an infection, however 10% of adults will not and will be carriers of the virus. Treatment options are available and should be discussed with your medical practitioner.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
About one third of adults will not have any symptoms. Others may experience:
- Fatigue
- Loss ofappetite
- Stomach pain
- General feeling of being unwell
- Jaundice (yellowing ofthe skin & whites of eyes)
How is Hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B is found in the blood,semen,vaginal fluid and saliva of an infected person.The virus can live outside the body for 7 days and is easily spread .It can be passed on through:
- Unprotected sex
- Sharing of needles and personal products such as razors, toothbrushes, nail files and clippers
- Hepatitis B can be passed from mother to infant during delivery
Prevention
- Get immunized against Hepatitis B.
- Those infected should also get vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
- Practice safe sex
- Do not share needles.
- Ensure sterile equipment is used for body piercing and tattoos.
Injection drug users and individuals who have unprotected sex with multiple partners are at higher risk forHepatitis B.
Vaccine:
The Ministry of Health has a voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination program for all grade 7 students in Ontario. The goal of the program is to vaccinate students against the virus while the risk for getting hepatitis B remains low. Public health nurses give the students an injection two times during the school year.
Is the Vaccine Safe?
The vaccine has been used in Canada for more than 10 years and is one of the safest vaccines around. It might cause minor side effects such as redness, warmth or slight swelling at the site of the injection, tiredness, or slight fever for a day or more. More serious reactions that occur within 15 days of injection should be reported to your doctor or local Health Unit. These reactions include: difficulty breathing, swelling of face or mouth, fevers over 39ºC, hives or a rash. The risk of serious illness from Hepatitis B virus is much greater than the risk of complications from the Hepatitis B vaccine; however some people should not have this vaccine. The nurse will delay giving the vaccine to anyone who has a fever or any other illness more serious than a minor cold. Check with your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to another vaccine, a bad reaction to thimerosal (mercury - a preservative in vaccines), aluminum, or yeast.
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