Hepatitis B

What is it? 
Hepatitis B is a common worldwide viral infection that affects the liver. It causes scarring of the liver, liver cancer and liver failure.

How do you get it? 
Both men and women can get Hepatitis B through vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby during vaginal birth.

How can I prevent it? 

• There is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B infection 
• Practice abstinence or safer sex using condoms. 
• Never share personal items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person. 
• Avoid activities that could cause you to be exposed to infected blood or semen. 
• Never share needles for injection drugs.

Symptoms
As with other STI’s there are often no symptoms. If there are symptoms they are usually flu-like which can include: 

• Tiredness
• Aching joints 
• Pain in the stomach area 
• Loss of appetite 
• Nausea 
• Jaundice (yellowish coloring of the skin from infection of the liver)

Testing 
Hepatitis B can be detected through a blood test.

Treatment 

• Hepatitis B can’t be cured, but there are some treatments available to help stop the virus from spreading. 
• If it is not treated Hepatitis B can cause serious damage to your liver causing cancer and liver failure.

For more information call or email the Sexual Health Program:
Ph: 578-2513
E-mail: sexualhealthprogram@brandonrha.mb.ca