Hepatitis BEvery 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. It is transmitted through blood and body fluids.[3] You can get hepatitis B from having sex with an infected person. Many infected people have no symptoms. But, even without symptoms, they can pass on hepatitis B. You can also get it by sharing needles used for drugs, tattoos or body piercing.[2] Babies can get it from their mothers during pregnancy.
Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
Hepatitis B can also be passed during oral or anal sex.[3]
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. Your skin or eyes could look yellow. Although most people get over their hepatitis B infections, some people have it for life. Anyone with hepatitis B can infect people exposed to their blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva. Long-term 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. You should also talk to your doctor about other precautions for your baby.[4]
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 widely available and very effective. It is recommended for all children and household contacts of people with lifelong 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 out.
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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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B-CDC Fact Sheet. 2006. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/hepatitis/STDFact-Hepatitis-B.htm. Accessed November 30, 2006.
3. 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.
4. 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
Reviewed by: Kate Hendricks, MD, MPH&TM
Date: December 2006 Hepatitis CEvery year nearly 9 million people under the age of 25 get a new STI (sexually transmitted infection).[1] One of these infections is hepatitis C. 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 C and how do you get it?
Hepatitis C is a serious viral STI that affects the liver.[2] It is transmitted through blood and body fluids.[3] You can get it by sharing needles used for drugs, tattoos, or body piercing.[4] You can also get it from having sex with an infected person. Many infected people have no symptoms. But, even without symptoms, they can pass it on. Babies can get it from their mothers during childbirth.[5] Many people who have HIV infection also have hepatitis C infection.[6]
Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
It may be possible to pass on hepatitis C during oral sex. It can be passed during anal sex, particularly if other STIs are present.
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. Your skin or eyes could look yellow. Most people who get hepatitis C infection have it for life. Long-term infection can cause liver damage, cancer and death.[3] If you also have HIV, your hepatitis C infection may get worse faster.[6]
How do you treat hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C can be treated with medication. But treatment is expensive, has side effects and does not always work. Your child may need treatment if you have it while you are pregnant. You should also talk to your doctor about other precautions for your baby.[7]
Am I safe if I always use a condom?
Considering the way hepatitis C is transmitted, always using condoms may reduce your chance of getting it.
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 out.
-------------------------
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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted disease treatment guidelines 2006. Hepatitis C. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/hepatitis-c.htm. Accessed December 1, 2006.
3. 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.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B-CDC Fact Sheet. 2006. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/hepatitis/STDFact-Hepatitis-B.htm. Accessed November 30, 2006.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Hepatitis C-Fact Sheet. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/fact.htm. Accessed December 1, 2006.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau. Care and Treatment for hepatitis C and HIV co-infection. April 2006. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/HRSAHIVHCV2006.pdf. Accessed December 1, 2006.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently asked questions about hepatitis C. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm. Accessed December 1, 2006.Authored by: Sheetal Malhotra, MBBS, MS
Reviewed by: Kate Hendricks, MD, MPH&TM
Date: December 2006 Thanks to Medical Institute for Sexual Health for their excellent information.
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