I need info on Hepititis(hepatitis) B

Hello everyone.  

I have developed these brown spots on my skin, and have had them for years now.  They spread and fade.  I've been sexually active, doing everything you can imagine since 15, but never got tested for it.  How is it spread?  

[bberry]

as basic as it gets, read below and feel free to ask more questions if you need to
good luck


What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver disease.
Hepatitis (HEP-ah-TY-tis) makes your liver swell and stops it from working right.

You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.


What causes hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus.
A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus.



How could I get hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid.
You could get hepatitis B by

having sex with an infected person without using a condom

sharing drug needles

having a tattoo or body piercing done with dirty tools that were used on someone else

getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (health care workers can get hepatitis B this way)

living with someone who has hepatitis B

sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person

traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common

An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth.

You can NOT get hepatitis B by
shaking hands with an infected person

hugging an infected person

sitting next to an infected person



What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis B can make you feel like you have the flu.
You might


feel tired

feel sick to your stomach

have a fever

not want to eat

have stomach pain

have diarrhea

Some people have

dark yellow urine

light-colored stools

yellowish eyes and skin

Some people don’t have any symptoms.

If you have symptoms or think you might have hepatitis B, go to a doctor.



What are the tests for hepatitis B?
To check for hepatitis B, the doctor will test your blood.
These tests show if you have hepatitis B and how serious it is.


The doctor will take some blood to check for hepatitis B.

The doctor may also do a liver biopsy.
A biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis B and liver damage.





How can I protect myself?
You can get the hepatitis B vaccine.
A vaccine is a drug that you take when you are healthy that keeps you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack certain viruses, like the hepatitis B virus.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given through three shots. All babies should get the vaccine. Infants get the first shot within 12 hours after birth. They get the second shot at age 1 to 2 months and the third shot between ages 6 and 18 months.

Older children and adults can get the vaccine, too. They get three shots over 6 months. Children who have not had the vaccine should get it.

You need all of the shots to be protected. If you are traveling to other countries, make sure you get all the shots before you go. If you miss a shot, call your doctor or clinic right away to set up a new appointment.


Vaccines protect you from getting hepatitis B.

You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you

People who touch blood at work should wear gloves to protect themselves from hepatitis B.
use a condom when you have sex

don’t share drug needles with anyone

wear gloves if you have to touch anyone’s blood

don’t use an infected person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it

make sure any tattooing or body piercing is done with clean tools

[ScaredGirl1234]

Thank you so much for the info!!!

I got the shots as a child, am I still protected?

And what do you mean by having sex without a condom?  Like vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex?  How EXACTLY does this virus enter the body?  

[cajim]

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/bFAQ.htm#tests

[ScaredGirl1234]

ty that first link was very helpful.

Is there a word better than Immunity?

[cajim]

Is there a word better than Immunity?

--Not sure what you mean.

[ScaredGirl1234]

Well, if I had sex a long time ago and IF I had been infected when I last had sex... and until now haven't had any complications, then I must've cleared it.

Keep in mind, I've never gotten tested for it, and probably haven't had it... I hope.  So if I cleared it, then I'm immune!  Am I right or am I making a fool of myself?

[cajim]

Whether you are immune or not to HBV depends on your test results, not on how you feel.