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    I'M Positive, Now What?: Hepatitis B

    Uploaded by

    Kishor Singh
    This document provides information about hepatitis B for those newly diagnosed. The key points are: 1) Individuals who test positive for hepatitis B should see their doctor to evaluate their status and monitor their health, as hepatitis B can lead to lifelong infection and serious liver damage if not properly managed. 2) There is no cure for hepatitis B, but treatment can help slow the progression of liver disease for those with chronic infection. People must be monitored regularly to prevent further liver damage. 3) Not getting treated can result in long-term health problems like liver damage, failure, cancer or even death. Approximately 1,800 people die each year from hepatitis B-related illness in the US.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    I'M Positive, Now What?: Hepatitis B

    Uploaded by

    Kishor Singh
    30 views2 pages
    This document provides information about hepatitis B for those newly diagnosed. The key points are: 1) Individuals who test positive for hepatitis B should see their doctor to evaluate their status and monitor their health, as hepatitis B can lead to lifelong infection and serious liver damage if not properly managed. 2) There is no cure for hepatitis B, but treatment can help slow the progression of liver disease for those with chronic infection. People must be monitored regularly to prevent further liver damage. 3) Not getting treated can result in long-term health problems like liver damage, failure, cancer or even death. Approximately 1,800 people die each year from hepatitis B-related illness in the US.

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    ImPositiveNowWhat_FactSheet_HBV

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    This document provides information about hepatitis B for those newly diagnosed. The key points are: 1) Individuals who test positive for hepatitis B should see their doctor to evaluate their status and monitor their health, as hepatitis B can lead to lifelong infection and serious liver damage if not properly managed. 2) There is no cure for hepatitis B, but treatment can help slow the progression of liver disease for those with chronic infection. People must be monitored regularly to prevent further liver damage. 3) Not getting treated can result in long-term health problems like liver damage, failure, cancer or even death. Approximately 1,800 people die each year from hepatitis B-related illness in the US.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    30 views2 pages

    I'M Positive, Now What?: Hepatitis B

    Uploaded by

    Kishor Singh
    This document provides information about hepatitis B for those newly diagnosed. The key points are: 1) Individuals who test positive for hepatitis B should see their doctor to evaluate their status and monitor their health, as hepatitis B can lead to lifelong infection and serious liver damage if not properly managed. 2) There is no cure for hepatitis B, but treatment can help slow the progression of liver disease for those with chronic infection. People must be monitored regularly to prevent further liver damage. 3) Not getting treated can result in long-term health problems like liver damage, failure, cancer or even death. Approximately 1,800 people die each year from hepatitis B-related illness in the US.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    I’M HEPATITIS B

    Positive, Now What?


    What Is Hepatitis B? What Are the First Steps I Should Take to
    Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused by the Manage My Infection?
    hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B can lead to lifelong If you are positive for HBV, you should visit with your
    (chronic) infection and can cause serious liver damage healthcare provider to evaluate your hepatitis B status
    including cirrhosis and liver cancer. More than 90 and the health of your liver. Your doctor will probably
    percent of infants infected perinatally or in the first year want to see you at least once or twice a year to monitor
    of life will develop chronic hepatitis B infection, whereas your hepatitis B and determine if you would benefit from
    5 to 10 percent of acutely infected older children and treatment. Educating yourself on how hepatitis B is
    adults will develop chronic, lifelong infection. transmitted and factors that may affect the progression
    of disease is also very important when you are first
    What Does Having Hepatitis B Mean for My
    Health? diagnosed.
    If you have acute hepatitis B, you may successfully clear
    the virus from your system and you would be protected
    How Do I Find a Doctor?
    In North Dakota, most individuals infected with HBV are
    from any future hepatitis B infection. Individuals who
    treated by specialists such as infectious disease
    are unable to clear HBV develop chronic infection. The
    physicians, gastroenterologists or hepatologists (liver
    risk for progression to chronic infection is related
    specialists). If you need assistance finding a healthcare
    inversely to age at the time of infection, that is, HBV
    provider in your area, please contact your primary care
    becomes chronic in most infected infants. By contrast,
    provider or call the North Dakota Department of Health
    most adults recover completely from acute HBV
    (NDDoH) at 701.328.2378.
    infection and do not become chronically infected.
    Most people chronically infected with hepatitis B can Is There a Cure for Hepatitis B?
    expect to live long and healthy lives. Individuals with No. There is no medication available to treat acute
    chronic HBV may not develop symptoms for up to 30 hepatitis B. During this short-term infection, doctors
    years. Damage to the liver can silently occur during this usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids,
    time. The risk for developing liver cancer among those although some people may need to be hospitalized.
    who are chronically infected with HBV increases as a People with chronic hepatitis B should be monitored
    person gets older or if they have been diagnosed with regularly for signs of liver disease and evaluated for
    cirrhosis. To promote a healthy liver, it is recommended possible treatment. For chronic hepatitis B there
    individuals infected with HBV avoid alcohol and are treatments that can help slow the progression of
    smoking. You should talk to your doctor before taking liver disease.
    any prescription, over-the-counter medication or herbal
    How Is Hepatitis B Managed?
    remedies. Although there is no special diet for people
    People with chronic HBV infection require regular
    who have chronic hepatitis B, a healthy, well-balanced
    monitoring to prevent liver damage or liver cancer.
    diet that is low-fat and includes plenty of vegetables is
    Individuals should avoid alcohol because it can cause
    recommended. You may want to avoid eating raw
    additional liver damage.
    shellfish since they can contain bacteria that are
    harmful to your liver. What Happens If I Don't Get Treated?
    Chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease that can result
    in long-term health problems, including liver damage,
    liver failure, liver cancer or even death. Approximately
    1,800 people die every year from hepatitis B-related
    liver disease.

    For more information, call 800.472.2180 or

    visit www.ndhealth.gov/disease/hepatitis.
    Last Updated: 06/2017
    I’M HEPATITIS B
    Positive, Now What?
    How Can I Protect Myself and Others? Do I Need to be Excluded from Work, Child
    If you are infected you can pass the virus, even if you Care, School or Other Activities?
    don’t have any symptoms, on to others. It is important No. HBV is not spread through food or water, sharing
    to take certain precautions to prevent this from eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand
    happening. HBV is transmitted through activities that holding, coughing or sneezing. No evidence exists of
    involve puncture through the skin or contact with body transmission of HBV by casual contact in the workplace,
    fluids (e.g., semen, saliva). Individuals who may have and transmission occurs rarely in childcare settings. All
    been exposed should be vaccinated for hepatitis B to sores and wounds need to be covered, however. If there
    protect themselves. Sexual partners and those living in is uncontrollable bleeding, individuals should be
    the same household should be tested for hepatitis B excluded until all sores and wounds can be covered.
    and receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
    Who Do I Need to Tell About My Infection?
    In addition, it is important to keep all cuts covered and You do not have to tell anyone about your HBV infection
    avoid sharing any sharp instruments such as razors, unless they are at risk of infection through blood or
    toothbrushes or earrings, etc. Hepatitis B is not body fluid exposure. You should tell your current sexual
    transmitted casually, and it cannot be spread through partner(s), household members and any needle-sharing
    sneezing, coughing, hugging or eating food prepared by partners. Primary routes of HBV transmission are sexual
    someone who is infected with HBV. Any blood spills, contact and needle sharing by injection drug users.
    including dried blood, should be cleaned using a Testing and vaccination is also recommended for
    dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of household contacts of persons with chronic HBV
    water for disinfecting the area. Gloves should be used infection, including unvaccinated children.
    when cleaning up any blood spills.
    How Do I Tell Others?
    I’m Pregnant. How Does Hepatitis B Affect My Telling family members about hepatitis B is important,
    Baby? but it can be difficult if you’re not properly prepared.
    If a pregnant woman has hepatitis B, she can pass the First, you must take immediate action to make sure
    infection to her baby during birth. This can be prevented your household members are not at risk of HBV
    through a series of vaccinations and Hepatitis B infection including practicing safer sex, implementing
    Immune Globulin (HBIG) for her baby beginning at birth. universal precautions, and making sure household and
    Without vaccination, babies born to women with immediate family members are tested for HBV and
    hepatitis B virus infection can develop chronic infection. vaccinated. Learning the facts about hepatitis B and
    sharing educational material will help.
    Am I Immune to Hepatitis B After I Recover?
    If you recover from an acute infection of HBV--that is, Remember, you don’t have to tell anyone until you are
    you do not progress to chronic infection--you will have ready as long as they are not at risk of infection. Care
    lasting immunity against reinfection. However, patients and support from friends and loved ones can be very
    with resolved infection who become immunosuppressed beneficial, however.
    (e.g., from chemotherapy or medication) might, albeit
    rarely, experience reactivation of HBV infection with
    Additional Information
    symptoms of acute illness.  www.ndhealth.gov/disease/hepatitis
     www.cdc.gov/hepatitis
     www.hepB.org

    For more information, call 800.472.2180 or

    visit www.ndhealth.gov/disease/hepatitis.
    Last Updated: 06/2017

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