Hepatitis B Fact Sheet
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks
the liver. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause life-long infection that
leads to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, or liver failure.
There is no cure for hepatitis B, but the infection can be prevented by
vaccination. In 2001, about 78,000 people were infected with the virus.
Vaccination Recommendation
for College Students
A vaccine is available to help protect against hepatitis B. The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination of everyone
age 18 and under, and anyone at high risk for hepatitis B. The American
College Health Association (ACHA) recommends that all college students
be vaccinated. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recommends
that all student athletes be vaccinated.
Symptoms of the
Disease
Symptoms of hepatitis B can resemble the flu and may include fever, loss
of appetite, low energy, joint pain, cramping, or nausea and vomiting,
as well as jaundice (yellow skin or eyes). However, in about 30 percent
of cases, hepatitis B causes no symptoms. Approximately one million people
are chronic carriers of the disease, meaning they have no symptoms and
may not know they are infected but are still able to transmit the disease
to others. There is no cure for hepatitis B. Most people can manage symptoms
of the disease with treatment, although 5 to 10 percent of individuals
become chronic carriers of the disease.
Incidence of Hepatitis
B
In 2001, an estimated 78,000 Americans were infected with hepatitis B.
The majority of these were adolescents and young adults. One in 20 people
now have been infected with this disease, and about one-third of those
infected do not know the source of their infection. There are approximately
1.25 million chronically infected Americans.
Transmission of
the Disease
Hepatitis B is contagious and spreads when the blood or other body fluids
of a person with the virus are absorbed into an individual's blood stream
through broken skin or mucous membranes. The hepatitis B virus can live
in all body fluids of an infected person, including blood, saliva, semen,
and vaginal fluids. It can enter the body through cuts, tears, or abrasions
in the skin and through mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, anus, and
eyes. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual contact; during contact
sports; by helping someone who is injured; by sharing razors, toothbrushes,
pierced earrings, or injection drug paraphernalia; or by getting a tattoo
or body piercing using non-sterile instruments or needles.
Risk Factors for Hepatitis B
Anyone who comes in contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected
person is at risk for hepatitis B. Certain behaviors can increase the
risk, including unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, and oral); contact sports
(sports during which players may be exposed to each other's blood or saliva);
getting a tattoo or body piercing; sharing items such as razors, earrings,
and toothbrushes; sharing injection drug paraphernalia; travel abroad
to areas where the disease is widespread; health care and public safety
work (or other occupations that may involve exposure to infected blood
or body fluids); helping someone who is bleeding; household contact with
persons with chronic hepatitis virus infection; and chronic kidney dialysis.
Risk for College
Students
College students may be at higher risk for hepatitis B. The highest rate
of disease occurs in individuals between the ages of 20 and 49. Living
in close quarters, like a college dormitory, may increase the risk of
exposure to carriers. College students may be exposed to the virus during
sexual contact, getting body piercings or tattoos, sharing needles or
razors, during contact sports and other high-risk behaviors. Health sciences
students may be exposed to body fluids or tissues from patients with hepatitis
B infection. In addition, during college, students may travel abroad to
areas where the disease is common.
About the Hepatitis
B Vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. You cannot get the disease
from the vaccine. The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness
at the site of the injection. Vaccination requires a series of three shots
over a six-moth period. After that, a booster shot is not necessary. The
vaccine protects 96 percent of those who complete the three-dose vaccination
series.
Other Forms of
Prevention
In addition to vaccination, people can modify their behavior by using
condoms during sex and avoiding tattooing and body piercing with non-sterile
instruments or techniques. They also can avoid sharing needles, pierced
earrings, razors, or toothbrushes.
For More Information
To learn more about hepatitis B and the vaccine, please contact the Student
Health Center at (920) 424-2424. For general information about hepatitis
B among college students, visit the websites of the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/Blood/HepatitisB.htm.
Information provided
by ACHA (American College Health Association)