Hepatitis B is the most infectious and dangerous variant of hepatitis. It is transmitted by infected blood and body fluids such as saliva, sweat, tears, vaginal secretion and semen. To get infected by the hepatitis B virus, it must enter into the blood stream, which might happen by sharing the same syringe, during tattooing, acupuncture or direct contact with infected blood on an open wound.

Symptoms

Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) result in acute viral hepatitis. At the beginning of the illness some characteristic symptoms are body aches, dark urine, nausea, light fever after which it will lead to the development of Jaundice which is caused by hyperbilirubinemia (increased levels of bilirubin in the blood) and is responsible for a yellowish pigmentation of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The illness may last for a few weeks and then improve in most people. A few people may have more severe liver disease (fulminant hepatic failure), and may die as a result.

Prevention

Hepatitis B is transmitted through body fluids; thus, prevention is the avoidance of such transmission: unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes. Hepatitis B vaccinations are also available.