How does hepatitis B enter the body?

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth.

Can hepatitis B transmitted through sharing food?

Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.

What does hepatitis B positive mean?

A positive HBsAg test result means that you are infected and can spread the hepatitis B virus to others through your blood. anti-HBs or HBsAb (Hepatitis B surface antibody) – A “positive” or “reactive” anti-HBs (or HBsAb) test result indicates that a person is protected against the hepatitis B virus.

Is hepatitis B curable or treatable?

A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there’s no cure if you have the condition. If you’re infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Can I work if I have hepatitis B?

Can an employer withdraw a job offer after they learn I have hepatitis B? No, because the majority of people with hepatitis B are healthy, productive and able to perform their jobs. Unless you have severe liver disease, hepatitis B does not impair your ability to be a teacher, nurse, doctor or home health aide.

How can we prevent hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B infection can be prevented by getting vaccine and HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) soon after coming into contact with the virus. Persons who have recently been exposed to HBV should get HBIG and vaccine as soon as possible and preferably within 24 hours, but not more than 2 weeks after the exposure.

Does Hepatitis B go away?

In most cases, hepatitis B goes away on its own. You can relieve your symptoms at home by resting, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Also, find out from your doctor what medicines and herbal products to avoid, because some can make liver damage caused by hepatitis B worse.

Can hepatitis B cause eye problems?

Hepatitis can lead to serious eye problems For example, a hepatitis B infection can lead to third nerve palsy. This condition involves a temporary paralysis of the cranial nerve that controls the movement of the eyes. Optic neuritis, which involves inflammation of the optic nerve, may also develop.

Can Liver problems affect eyesight?

But there are other eye problems with liver disease. Dry, itchy eyes and xanthelasma—small collections of fat on the eyelids—can occur with cirrhosis. And congenital liver disorders can affect just about any part of the eye, including the cornea and lens.

Can chronic hepatitis B be cured completely?

There’s no cure for hepatitis B. The good news is it usually goes away by itself in 4 to 8 weeks. More than 9 out of 10 adults who get hepatitis B totally recover. However, about 1 in 20 people who get hepatitis B as adults become “carriers,” which means they have a chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B infection.