A disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although 90-95% of adults with HBV recover completely, the virus can cause severe liver disease and death. Unless they are treated within an hour of birth, 90% of the infants born to women with HBV will carry the virus. Pregnant women who may have been exposed to HBV should consider being tested before giving birth so that their babies can be vaccinated at birth or treated if they become ill. Like several other viruses, HBV remains in the body for life.

HBV is the only sexually transmitted infection that is preventable with vaccination. But about 77,000 Americans get HBV every year because they have not been vaccinated. There are now about 750,000 people with sexually acquired HBV in the U.S.

• Sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal) with someone who has HBV
• Sharing contaminated needles used for injecting drugs, tattoos, and piercings
• Sharing toothbrushes, razors, and other similar objects
• Accidental needle sticks with contaminated needles in the course of health care

• Nausea, fever, loss of appetite
• Darkened urine
• Abdominal pain
• Enlarged liver
• Yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin (jaundice)

• Blood test

• No medical cure, but symptoms can be treated
• Most people recover within 6-8 weeks
• Treatment within 2 weeks of exposure can prevent or lessen infection
• A vaccine is available for preventing HBV

• Severe illness, liver damage or liver cancer or death
• Mother to fetus during pregnancy