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Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health

Hepatitis B FAQs

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral disease of the liver. It can cause permanent damage. A blood test will tell if a person is infected.

What happens if I get Hepatitis B?

The person with hepatitis B may feel tired and feverish and may lose his or her appetite. Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) may develop. Symptoms may develop 45 to 160 days after exposure.

1% of infected people die within weeks of infection from liver failure.

9% of infected people carry the virus forever. This is called the carrier state. Half of these people eventually die of liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. Carriers are infectious and can pass the disease to others without realizing it.

90% of infected people recover after being ill for weeks or months.

How could I catch Hepatitis B?

You catch Hepatitis B through contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person.

Examples:

  • through sexual intercourse with an infected person
  • by an infected mother to her baby at the time of birth
  • by sharing needles with an infected person
  • through a needle stick injury with a contaminated needle
  • through the use of contaminated equipment for body and ear piercing, tattooing and acupuncture
  • through broken skin or mucous membranes being exposed to contaminated body fluids
  • by receiving a bite from an infected person
  • less frequently, when household contacts share personal hygiene items such as razors, nail files and toothbrushes

When is Hepatitis B infectious?

The person may be infectious four to six weeks before symptoms appear, during the course of the illness and for some time after recovery. Recovery could take up to six months.

Is there treatment available?

There is no specific treatment or cure. If someone has the hepatitis B virus he or she is advised to:

  • eat a normal, well-balanced diet,
  • get sufficient rest,
  • limit activities,
  • avoid alcohol.

Protect Yourself

  • Reduce your risk by:
    o limiting the number of sexual partners
    o wearing gloves when handling blood and other body fluids
    o not sharing needles, syringes and other injection equipment
    o not sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, nail files.
  • Consider immunization against influenza, hepatitis B and pneumococcal disease. Hepatitis B vaccine is provided to all grade 7 students free of charge. Certain high-risk groups are also provided with hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines free of charge.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, The ABC’s of Hepatitis, April 2010.
  • Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, Infectious Disease Protocol, 2009.

Hepatitis B Fact Sheet printable pdf

Need More Information About Hepatitis B FAQs?

Talk to your health care provider or call our Communicable Disease Program at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 349.

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South East Health Unit

As of Jan. 1, 2025 Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will merge to form the South East Health Unit.

Partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as usual until otherwise directed.

Efforts are underway to develop branding for the South East Health Unit, which will take several months. In the meantime, you will see logos and other advertising material with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health branding. You may also see some documents using the legal name South East Health Unit.