Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus. It can be acute and selfresolving, or it can be chronic. The hepati ti s B virus (HBV) is found in blood and bodily fluids. It can be transmitt ed through semen, vaginal fluids, and blood, and it can pass from a mother to a newborn during delivery. Sharing needles and having unprotected sex increase the risk. Most infections occur during infancy or childhood. They are rarely diagnosed, as there may be few obvious symptoms. Symptoms of a new infection may not be apparent in children under 5 years of age and adults with a suppressed immune system. Among those aged 5 years and over, between 30 and 50 percent will show initial signs and symptoms. These include: fever, joint pain, fati gue, nausea, vomiti ng, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Acute symptoms appear from 60 to 120 days aft er exposure to the virus, and they can last from several weeks to 6 months. A person with chronic HBV infecti on may have ongoing episodes of abdominal pain, persistent fati gue, and aching joints. Some individuals have no symptoms, some experience only the initial infection, but others remain chronically infected, as the virus conti nues to attack the liver over time without being detected. Irreversible liver damage can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no cure for HBV, but immunization can prevent initi al infection.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS MESSAGE