Hepatitis B is a viral sexually transmitted infection that is transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex, sharing needles, and/or contact with blood from someone who has Hepatitis B. Many people have no symptoms, but symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, dark-colored urine, pale stool or yellow skin and eyes (jaundice.) Can pass to others when no symptoms are present. 

Also know as: Hep B

How You Get It:

• Vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has hepatitis B
• Sharing needles
• Contact with infectious blood
• Can be passed when symptoms are not present
• Passed to babies in the womb or through the birth canal

Symptoms:

• Many people have no symptoms or mild symptoms
• Shows up at any time from weeks to years after infection
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dark colored urine
• Pale Stool
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)

Prevention: With condom use in most cases, by using a clean needle every time with intravenous drugs, or with an effective vaccine required by most schools

Testing: Detected through a blood test

Treatment:

• It can be treated and sometimes cured
• In most cases it will go away on its own
• Some people cannot be cured, but there is medication to treat

If left untreated:

• Will continue to spread it to sex partners and through sharing needles
• Some people may not recover completely
• Can cause permanent liver damage or liver cancer
• Reproductive organs can be permanently damaged

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