Hepatitis B

How is this disease spread?

Hepatitis B virus is easily spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. People can also be infected from contact with an object contaminated with hepatitis B virus. The virus can live at least 7 days outside of the body. People who are chronically infected can spread hepatitis B virus to others.

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Who is at risk for this disease?

Although anyone can get hepatitis B infection, some adults are at greater risk. Adults are at increased risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B if they are:

• Sex partners of people infected with hepatitis B

• Sexually active persons with more than one sex partner

• Men who have sex with men

• Injection drug users

• Living with persons with chronic hepatitis B infection

• Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for occupational exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids

• Hemodialysis patients

• Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons

• Travelers to countries where hepatitis B is common

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What could happen if I get this disease?

Hepatitis B can cause acute (short-term) illness that can lead to loss of appetite, tiredness, pain in muscles, joints, and stomach, jaundice, diarrhea, and vomiting.

• Some people, mostly infants and young children, go on to develop chronic hepatitis B infection once they are infected.

• While most of the people infected do not have symptoms, the infection is still very serious, and can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and even death.

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Additional Information: CDC Health Information for International Travel 2020, Hepatitis B, p. 223-229.