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Home , Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B virus, Influenza vaccine

If you have chronic B (HBV) . . .

If you have chronic virus (HBV) If your disease progresses, here are some regular household bleach to 10 parts water). infection, you are not alone. Today, extra precautions you should take:  Do not share toothbrushes, razors, needles approximately one million people in the Unit-  Get your yearly . Patients for ear piercing, nail files, clippers, nail ed States are chronically infected with HBV. with severe should also scissors, washcloths, or anything that may The majority of infected people feel healthy receive pneumococcal polysaccharide vac- have come in contact with your or for their entire lives and do not cine. body fluids. have any evidence of ongoing liver damage.  Get vaccinated against . Hepati-  Do not share food that has been in your Other people progress to levels of more se- tis A can further damage your liver. mouth (e.g., chewing gum) and do not pre- vere disease. Some people ultimately develop chew food for babies. liver scarring (), , or liver  Don’t eat raw oysters. Raw oysters may carry the Vibrio vulnificus which  Do not share syringes, needles, drugs, or . It is important that you take care of any drug preparation equipment. yourself. And because it is possible to spread can cause a serious blood infection in indi-  Do not donate blood, plasma, body organs, HBV to others, you have to know how to viduals with liver disease. Approximately tissue, or sperm. protect your family, friends, and others from 40% of these cases are fatal. this disease.  Know that if someone is exposed to your How to protect others from blood—be it a family member, a friend, How you can take care HBV infection or even a stranger—preventive treatment People can get HBV infection from you by is available for that person. If the exposed of yourself person receives HBIG and starts the hepa- People who have chronic HBV infection need coming in contact with your blood, , semen, or vaginal fluids. HBV has also been titis B vaccine series right away (or within regular monitoring of their liver condition to 7–14 days, depending on the type of expo- determine whether their disease is progress- transmitted by bites. Although HBV has been detected in low concentrations in sure), that person has an excellent chance ing, whether treatment is needed, or whether a of being protected from HBV! is developing. Make sure you do other body fluids, including tears, sweat,  Learn more about hepatitis B so you can the following: urine, feces, and breast milk, these fluids have not been associated with known . make the best decisions for yourself and  See your doctor for evaluation of your Fortunately, HBV is not transmitted by sneez- provide the best protection for your family liver’s condition once or twice a year. ing or coughing, or from casual contact such and friends. Certain blood tests need to be performed as holding hands. Here are some important periodically to monitor your liver’s health. guidelines for you to follow so that others are Discuss with your doctor if you are a protected: More resources... candidate for antiviral medication. These If you have further questions, contact medicines are given to certain people with  Tell your sex partner(s) that you are one of these trusted resources: . infected with HBV. Your sex partner(s) must see a physician for hepatitis B blood Action Coalition  Discuss with your doctor about getting testing and should receive the first dose (651) 647-9009 periodic ultrasounds, alpha-fetoprotein of at this same visit www.immunize.org (AFP) blood tests, or other studies to make after the blood is drawn. If, according to sure there is no evidence of a developing American Liver Foundation the blood tests, your partner has never had (212) 668-1000 liver cancer. Physicians may recommend hepatitis B, your partner should complete www.liverfoundation.org different schedules for ultrasounds and the series. One to two months Asian Liver Center, Stanford University blood tests depending on the patient’s age, after the series of three shots is completed, (888) 311-3331 sex, ethnicity, age at which the infection your partner needs to return to the doctor http://liver.stanford.edu/ was initially acquired, family history, liver for blood testing to make sure the vaccine Centers for Disease Control and HBeAg status (a positive protected your partner. Use cor- and Prevention HBeAg indicates more HBV in rectly and consistently until your partner is (800) 232-4636 www.cdc.gov/hepatitis the blood and a greater chance of serious proven to be protected from HBV. liver disease). Usually, ultrasounds and Hepatitis B Foundation  Make sure all your household members see blood tests are recommended every six to their physicians for hepatitis B testing and (215) 489-4900 12 months. www.hepb.org vaccination.  Review with your physician all medications Hepatitis Foundation International  Tell your healthcare professionals that you you take. Even some “over-the-counter” are infected with HBV. (800) 891-0707 medications can injure your liver. www.hepfi.org  Cover all cuts and open sores with a  If you are pregnant, tell your physician that bandage. National Digestive Diseases you have chronic HBV infection. Information Clearinghouse  Throw away used personal items such as It is essential that your baby be given an (301) 496-3583 of hepatitis B immune globulin tissues or menstrual pads in a bag that does www2.niddk.nih.gov (HBIG) and started on the hepatitis B not leak so others will not be exposed to your blood. Parents of Kids with Infectious vaccine series within 12 hours of birth to Diseases (PKIDS)  Wash your hands well after touching your prevent your baby from getting HBV infec- (877) 557-5437 tion. blood or body fluids. www.pkids.org  Avoid alcoholic beverages. can  Clean up your blood spills. Then re-clean damage your liver. the area with bleach solution (one part

Immunization Action Coalition Saint Paul, Minnesota • 651-647-9009 • www.immunize.org • www.vaccineinformation.org www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120.pdf • Item #P4120 (4/16)