S E X U A L L Y
T R A N S M I T T E D D I S E A S E S:
Hepatitis B
What is it? Infections are caused either by viruses (like HIV) or bacteria. Hepatitis B is cased by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
How do you get it? Hepatitis B is transmitted from person to person in two ways.
- Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who has the virus.
- Sharing needles (IV drug use), toothbrushes, eating utensils, and other similar objects.
What are the symptoms? Women and men may have similar symptoms from hepatitis B.
- Nausea, fever, loss of appetite
- Darkened urine
- Abdominal pain
- Enlarged liver
- Yellow in the eyes and skin (jaundice)
How can you know for sure? A blood sample is taken and sent to a medical lab for testing.
How is it treated? There is NO MEDICAL CURE for Hepatitis B, but symptoms can be treated. Most people recover within 6-8 weeks. Treatment given within 2 weeks of exposure can prevent or lessen infection. A vaccine is available for preventing HBV.
What can happen if you don't take care of it? You can become very sick. The virus can cause liver damage, liver cancer, even death. A pregnant woman with HBV can be pass the virus on to the fetus. The infection can spread to other sexual partners.
UNPROTECTED SEX PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR GETTING HEPATITIS B.
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