Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

• How do you get it?
  Hepatitis B can be spread through anal, vaginal or oral sex with an infected partner.
  
  It may be spread from an infected mother to her child during birth.
  
  It can also be spread through blood-to-blood contact such as sharing needles or drug preparation equipment or by sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes that have come into contact with infected blood.
• How do you get tested?
  Getting tested for Hepatitis B means having a blood test done to see if you have ever been in contact with the virus.
• Does it go away?
  For some people, yes. Most people will recover within a few months of infection, as their bodies develop immunity and fight off the infection. These people are no longer contagious, and usually don’t have any long-term effects from the infection.
  For some people, their bodies will not be able to fight off the virus, and will develop chronic hepatitis and become “carriers” and can transmit the infection all their lives.
• How do I NOT get Hepatitis B?
  Getting your Hep B immunization is a good start!
  
  ALSO...
  
  Choosing not to have sex is your best bet, but if you do, use a condom each and every time you have sex.
  
  ALSO...
  
  Never sharing needles or drug preparation equipment.
  
• Where can you get tested?
  At your doctor's/healthcare professional's office, or at the sexual health clinics at the Northwestern Health Unit.