Hepatitis B (or hep B) is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection can range from a short-term illness to a long-lasting, chronic disease.
Because hep B increases the risk of liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis, it’s helpful to understand how it spreads, and how it is diagnosed and treated. You can then protect your liver health and prevent complications.
What Is Viral Hepatitis, and How Does It Affect the Liver?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis is caused by several distinct viruses – the most common being hepatitis A, B, and C. While all three target your liver, they do so in different ways:
- Hepatitis A typically spreads through contaminated food or water and usually causes an acute, short-term illness without lasting liver damage.
- Hepatitis B is spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids and can become chronic – damaging your liver over many years.
- Hepatitis C primarily spreads via blood-to-blood contact and often leads to chronic liver inflammation, like hep B.
All these forms of viral hepatitis cause inflammation. And inflammation harms your liver’s ability to process nutrients, filter toxins, and fight infections.
However, hep B stands out for its potential to become chronic and silently damage your liver over decades if you leave it untreated.
How Do You Contract Hepatitis B?
The virus is transmitted, as we mentioned, through contact with infected blood or body fluids.
This can happen through unprotected sex, sharing needles, accidental needle sticks, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Hep B can also spread when you share personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes, with someone who has the infection – although this is less common.
Is Hepatitis B an STD?
Yes. It’s considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) since it can be passed through unprotected sexual contact.
If you suspect exposure, it’s crucial you recognize hepatitis B STD symptoms, although many people don’t develop noticeable symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, and joint pain.
How to Test For Hepatitis B
Testing starts with a simple blood test and typically includes:
- HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) test that detects active infection
- anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) test that checks for immunity
- anti-HBc (core antibody) test that determines any past exposure
If you want to check if a previous vaccine is protecting you, a hepatitis B immunity test can confirm whether you still have protective antibodies.
Testing is quick and reliable, so take advantage of a test for peace of mind!
Why Is Early Testing for Hepatitis So Important?
Hepatitis B is sometimes called a “silent” infection because many people experience no symptoms for years.
Without treatment, the virus can quietly cause long-term liver inflammation and even progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer. So, even if you feel healthy, if you’ve had any potential exposure, it’s a good idea to discuss your risk factors with your doctor and ask about a hepatitis B test.
Early diagnosis gives you options to protect your health and also prevent the virus from spreading to others.
When Should You Get Tested for Hepatitis?
If you have risk factors like unprotected sex, a partner with hepatitis, shared needles, or you were born in an area with higher hep B rates, you should strongly consider testing.
Newborns of mothers with hepatitis B should be tested and vaccinated immediately after birth.
It’s also wise for healthcare workers and people who live with someone who has hep B to access screening. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor about testing for hepatitis during your next checkup.
What Happens After a Positive Hep B Test?
If you test positive for hep B, your doctor will guide you through the next steps.
Not everyone needs treatment right away, but you will need regular monitoring to watch for liver damage. Antiviral medications can help control the virus and prevent complications in some cases.
It’s also important to discuss testing and vaccination with partners or close family members so they can get tested and vaccinated if needed. Support groups and counseling can also help you cope emotionally with a hepatitis B diagnosis.
Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?
Yes. The good news is you can prevent hep B via vaccination. The vaccine is safe, effective, and provides lifelong protection for most people.
Infants typically receive their first vaccinations at birth. And catch-up vaccines are available for teens and adults who missed their childhood doses.
You can also help prevent hepatitis B transmission by practicing safer sex, avoiding sharing needles, and using standard safety precautions if you work around blood.
However, not everyone knows that hep B is preventable, so…
Hep B Awareness Events Matter
Globally, World Hepatitis Day was earlier this week. In the US, we also marked Hepatitis Awareness Month in May.
The thing is, awareness plays a vital role in fighting viral hepatitis.
It encourages testing, vaccination, and education, and reminds everyone about liver health and the need to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat.
By spreading knowledge and reducing stigma, these campaigns help more people get tested, get vaccinated, and stay healthy.
Protect Yourself Against Hepatitis B at Stella Mattina
At Stella Mattina, we’re passionate about your health and about being preventive – helping you take action before you get ill!
Hepatitis B is preventable and it’s a potentially serious infection that affects millions of people worldwide.
If you have reason to think you might have been exposed, don’t wait. Call us about having a hep B test or even a full screening that includes a hepatitis C test. We have same-day appointments and accept most insurance.
We have at least 10 locations: Schedule an appointment at the most convenient for you today!
Dr. Krum is currently in practice in Arlington, TX. He received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then attended UTMB Galveston for medical school, finishing in 1986, completing his residency there in 1990. Providing a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care, he specializes in the treatment of endometriosis and robotic surgery. He arranges his schedule so that same-day appointments are usually available.