Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is one of five known viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver. The virus is carried by blood and can be transmitted between people only by this route. Unlike with hepatitis A, you cannot get hepatitis B from contaminated food and drink.
Symptoms of hepatitis B include fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea, diarrhea, and other flu-like symptoms. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) may appear. Not everyone who contracts the disease will have all of the symptoms.
Carriers of the disease are generally contagious for several months. Approximately 10% of infected people may become long-term carriers.
There is a vaccine against hepatitis B and is recommended for people who are in high-risk settings. A shot is available for people exposed to the virus to help lessen the risk of infection.
An estimated 3 million people around the world become infected with hepatitis B each year.
Read the Center for Disease Control hepatitis B fact sheet.
Look here for information about the risk of getting hepatitis B while traveling.
You can get more information about hepatitis B from the Hepatitis Foundation.
