Did You Know? March 2000

DID YOU KNOW?

SPECIAL HEPATITIS B EDITION

SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES

HEPATITIS B: THE SILENT EPIDEMIC
Hepatitis B infects about 300,000 Americans a year. Many are students. Hepatitis B is a highly contagious virus. It can strike silently and cause life-threatening liver damage. People in their teens and twenties are at greater risk of catching Hepatitis B than any age group. But there is a vaccine.

Why is Hepatitis B so dangerous? Once Hepatitis B enters the bloodstream, it silently invades the liver cells. Hepatitis B disrupts normal liver functions, and some of this damage can be permanent. If the damage is severe, Hepatitis can kill you.

How do you get Hepatitis B? The Hepatitis B virus is transmitted by parenteral or mucosal exposure from persons who are carriers or have acute Hepatitis B infection. The highest concentrations of virus are in blood and serous fluids. In the United States, the most prevalent route of transmission is by sexual contact. Transmission of Hepatitis B can occur by percutaneous exposure: including tattooing, ear piercing, and acupuncture, as well as needle-sticks or other injuries from sharp instruments contaminated with blood. Contamination of mucosal membranes can take place via inanimate environmental surfaces that have been contaminated with blood from an infected individual. The Hepatitis B virus can stay alive on contaminated surfaces for as long as a month dn under some circumstances 100 times more contagious than HIV. Transmission can also take place from mother to infant at birth.

What can Hepatitis B do to me? In the mildest case, you never know you have Hepatitis B, and it's gone in 6 months. Some people however, become carriers for life, infecting others they care about. In the most serious case, the disease scars the liver and may lead to liver cancer.

What are the symptoms? Often there are no symptoms, so some people have Hepatitis B and never know it> Others feel very ill and are unable to work for weeks or months. Symptoms of Hepatitis B may be similar to a stomach virus, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, fever, lack of appetite, dark urine and/or yellowing of the skin and eyes.

What is the treatment? There is no cure for Hepatitis B. The only treatment is rest, combined with high protein and carbohydrate diet to repair cells and protect the liver.

How can I protect myself? The easiest way to protect yourself from Hepatitis B - get vaccinated! Vaccination provides protection for more than 15 years and possibly a lifetime. Boosters are not recommended.

Who should get vaccinated? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The American College Health Association, The American Medical Association and The National Collegiate Athletic Association all recommend use of Hepatitis B vaccine for adolescents.

What is the vaccination like? The vaccine is given in the arm, in three doses. The second dose is given one month after the first and the third is given five months after the second. it is important to get all three doses to be protected. As with most vaccinations, there may be some soreness in teh arm for a day, but other mild side effects such as fever and nausea are rare.

What if I decide to get vaccinated? Go to your health care provider and ask for the vaccine. Current public policy recommends Hepatitis B vaccine for young adults. The vaccination series is available through the Saint Mary's College Health and Wellnes Service. Additional information can be accessed through your local health department, Saint Mary's College Health and Wellness Service, your health care provider, or www.cdc.org.