Hepatitis B

You can prevent hepatitis B with vaccinations, but once the infection takes hold, it lasts a lifetime, causing progressive liver damage and liver cancer. The infectious disease specialists at HealthyClinic.me in Springfield, Massachusetts, screen for hepatitis B infections, administer preventive vaccines, and provide excellent long-term treatment for chronic hepatitis B infections. Call the office today or request an appointment online to learn if you’re at risk or to protect your health with individualized attention that promotes optimal liver health.

What is hepatitis B?

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver inflammation. If the virus persists, the ongoing inflammation can lead to serious complications. 

You pick up HBV by coming into contact with infected blood, saliva, and other body fluids. The virus typically travels from one person to another during sexual contact and when sharing needles. Pregnant women with HBV can pass it to their baby during pregnancy or delivery.

What symptoms does hepatitis B cause?

An acute hepatitis B infection causes mild to severe symptoms that appear 2-5 months after you’re exposed to the virus. Your symptoms last a few weeks or up to six months, depending on how quickly your body fights off the infection.

You may experience:

• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stool
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and fatigue
• Swelling in your abdomen (ascites)
• Swelling in your legs and feet (edema)
• Yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)

Sometimes your body can’t clear the virus and hepatitis B turns into a lifelong chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B causes ongoing inflammation, extensive scarring (cirrhosis), and liver cancer. You won’t have symptoms until the liver disease reaches an advanced stage.

Can I prevent hepatitis B?

You can prevent hepatitis B by getting vaccinated. Children have received routine HBV vaccines since 1991. However, many adults have the virus because they didn’t get the shots. That’s why all adults should be screened for the virus at least once and get vaccinated.

How is hepatitis B diagnosed?

After reviewing your medical history and symptoms and completing a physical exam, your provider runs blood tests to find signs of hepatitis B. They may also perform diagnostic ultrasound to determine the extent of any existing scarring.

How is hepatitis B treated?

The treatment for an acute infection usually involves rest, plenty of fluids, and close monitoring to be sure you don’t develop complications.

A chronic infection requires lifelong treatment and routine liver assessments to monitor the progression of scarring and disease.

The skilled HealthyClinic.me team may prescribe antiviral medications (to slow liver damage) or interferon (to fight the ongoing infection). You may need a liver transplant if the disease reaches an advanced stage.

Call HealthyClinic.me or book online today to schedule hepatitis B testing or to receive care for an acute or chronic hepatitis B infection.