What are the risks of getting tested for hepatitis B?
Should I be tested for hepatitis B and C?acute or new hepatitis B infection in adults usually does not need to be treated and goes away on its own. But in some people it leads to long-term disease and serious liver problems. If you find out you have long-term (chronic) hepatitis B, you may face a decision about whether to go through treatment. Some of the medicines used to treat hepatitis B have few or no side effects.
Related QuestionsWhat are the benefits of getting tested for hepatitis B and C?
Should I be tested for hepatitis B and C?If you test positive, you may be able to help others by making sure people who may have given you the disease get tested. People you may have infected also could be tested. If your test for hepatitis B is negative, you can get a vaccine to keep you from ever getting that disease. A vaccine is a shot that protects your body from a specific disease. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWhat is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisHepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV attacks the liver and can lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) in people who develop lifelong infection with the virus.
Related QuestionsFAQThe Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is spread through contact with infected blood, through sex with an infected person, and from mother to child during childbirth. It is the most common hepatitis virus. Most adults who become infected will recover from HBV after a few months and become immune to being infected again. Others are not able to get rid of the virus and stay infected for life. Chronic HBV often leads to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis (sir-o-sis) and liver cancer.Related Questions
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterHepatitis B is a liver disease. It makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.Related Questions
Is hepatitis B serious?
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterYes. Although many people who are exposed to hepatitis B will be able to get rid of the virus, some people develop chronic (life-long) hepatitis B. This may lead to liver damage, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis B carriers are people who are infected with HBV and never recover fully from the infection; they carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives. In the United States, about one million people carry HBV.
Related QuestionsHow can I protect myself from getting Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B FactsYour best protection is from the Hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is given through a series of three shots. You need all three shots to protect yourself. Also, you can use latex condoms correctly every time you have sex. Do not shoot drugs or share drug paraphrenalia. Do not share personal care items that may have blood on them. And, consider the risks of tatoos and piercings.
Related QuestionsHow do I go about getting tested?
AIDSHotline.org -- Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDSIn California and other parts of the US as well as many other countries, HIV testing is easily accessible and is often offered at no cost. If you think that you have been exposed to the virus and want to know if you are infected, you may want to contact your local AIDS Hotline for a referral to a testing site near you, where a qualified counselor will be available to explain the testing procedure and answer any questions that you might have.
Related QuestionsShould I be tested for hepatitis B and C?
Should I be tested for hepatitis B and C?The decision to be tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C is not always simple. The tests are easy, but the test results could affect your life in ways you did not expect. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of testing. Consider the following when making your decision: If you get tested and are found to have hepatitis, you could face a hard decision about treatment. Treatment for hepatitis C may have serious side effects for the 6 to 12 months or longer that it takes.
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsGenerally speaking, there are a number of reasons that prompt a person to take a Hepatitis C test. Whether it is: ... --getting tested for Hepatitis C can help foster peace of mind, regardless of your test result. And, if you are concerned about testing positive for Hepatitis C, it is important to recognize that today more than ever before, there is new medical treatment that is helping thousands of people infected with Hepatitis C lead healthier, active lives.Related Questions
If you are pregnant, should you worry about hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisYes, you should get a blood test to check for HBV infection early in your pregnancy. This test is called hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). If you test HBsAg-negative early in pregnancy, but continue behaviors that put you at risk for HBV infection (e.g., multiple sex partners, injection drug use), you should be retested for HBsAg close to delivery. If your HBsAg test is positive, this means you are infected with HBV and can give the virus to your baby.
Related QuestionsWhat if I am pregnant and have hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisAsk your doctor to make sure your baby gets a shot called HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Once your baby has this shot, it is safe to breastfeed your baby. But it is also important to make sure your baby completes all the hepatitis B vaccine doses, and is tested to make sure he or she is protected.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C?
FAQHepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people's stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like 'rimming' (licking someone's anus) or via oral sex on a male's penis after he has had anal sex.
Related QuestionsWhere can I get Hepatitis A and B vaccines?
FAQIt is always a good idea to get screened for Hepatitis A or B antibodies before you get vaccinated to make sure you aren't already infected. Any health provider should be able to screen you or provide you with the vaccines. Some clinics will only vaccinate you if you are a certain age, if you ask, or if you are a regular patient.
Related QuestionsHepatitis B: FAQ | CDC Viral HepatitisHepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.Related Questions
What are my hepatitis B vaccination options?
Body Art Frequently Asked Questions PractitionersYou have a few options regarding Hepatitis B vaccinations. You can provide evidence of having received the series of vaccinations, or you can refuse the vaccination requirement for personal or religious reasons. If you refuse for any reason, it must be in writing. Because the health department would prefer that all local artists complete their series of shots, the department offers hepatitis B shots free of charge to any locally-licensed body art practitioner.
Related QuestionsHepatitis B FactsHepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. A healthy liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it. Hepatitis can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.Related Questions
hep_bHepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. The virus is present in the blood and body fluids of an infected individual and can be transmitted from mother to baby at birth as well as through unprotected sex, and unsterilized needles.Related Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis B - California Pa...Hepatitis B is a virus that infects and damages the liver. Because hepatitis B can hide inside the body, many people do not know they have the virus until they get tested. In the United States, more than 2 million people have the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 70,000 new cases develop each year. The word "hepatitis" indicates that there is inflammation, or swelling, in the liver. Once this inflammation begins, scar tissue (called "fibrosis") may form.Related Questions
What causes hepatitis B?
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterHepatitis B is caused by a virus. A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
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