Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that inflames the liver. Infected people may develop chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and other body fluids such as open sores, breast milk, tears, saliva, seminal fluid and vaginal secretions. You can protect yourself from contracting hepatitis B with a safe and effective vaccine. The Ontario Ministry of Health provides hepatitis B immunization for grade 7 students. The vaccine is administered free at school. Certain groups of people are also eligible to receive a free vaccine. For more information call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a serious, viral infection of the liver. Symptoms of the disease include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, headaches, vomiting, fever, dark-coloured urine, abdominal pain and jaundice. Many people who become infected with hepatitis B, however, never experience these symptoms. Hepatitis B can be prevented.

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What is a "carrier"?

Infected persons-ill or not-can pass a virus to others. About nine percent of people with hepatitis B become chronic carriers, and carry the virus in their blood and body fluids for life. Carriers look healthy, but they may later develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. It is important for carriers to continue medical follow up with their doctor. Ninety percent of people infected with hepatitis B eventually recover, but they may be ill for several weeks. One percent die within several weeks.

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How is hepatitis B spread?

Sexual contact and contact with blood and certain body fluids spreads the disease. You can get hepatitis B from an infected person by sharing needles and other skin-piercing equipment. Contact with the blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person will also put you at risk. Infected pregnant women can pass hepatitis B to the fetus. Hepatitis B is not spread by coughing or sneezing, water, food or casual contact. Infected fluids must enter a break in the skin or be absorbed through a mucous membrane.

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Why is the vaccine important?

You can protect yourself against hepatitis B with a vaccine that is more than 90 percent effective. To be fully protected, the first injection must be followed by a second injection one month later. This second injection must be followed by a third one five months later.

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Does the vaccine have side effects?

The most common vaccine side effects are pain and swelling from the injection. Very few people experience fatigue, headache, fever, nausea or sore muscles and joints for a day or two.

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Who should be vaccinated?

Almost everyone should be vaccinated, but people with a fever, flu-like symptoms or anything more serious than a minor cold should wait until they feel better. Pregnant women who are not at immediate risk of infection may wish to wait until after their child is born.

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Who should not be vaccinated?

Anyone with severe allergies to yeast, mercury (thimersol) or aluminum should not be vaccinated.

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Why are grade 7 students vaccinated?

The Ontario Ministry of Health has a hepatitis B prevention program for children in grade 7. These students are offered the vaccination because they not likely to have been exposed to the virus. The City administers the vaccine for free in school clinics.

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Who is at risk for hepatitis B?

People who are exposed to the blood or body fluids of an infected person are at risk. This includes:

people with more than one sexual partner;
men who have sex with other men;
injection-drug users;
those receiving repeated infusions of blood or certain blood products;
infants born to mothers with hepatitis B;
patients on haemodialysis;
health-care workers repeatedly exposed to blood or blood products;
people who are at risk of needle stick injury;
dentists, dental assistants and hygienists;
residents and staff of institutions for the developmentally disabled;
sexual and household contacts of hepatitis B virus carriers;
embalmers;
international travelers residing more than six months in areas with high levels of endemic hepatitis B; and
people who have come into contact with blood or body fluids of residents in such areas.

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How is hepatitis B prevented?

The spread of the hepatitis B virus can be prevented through:

the hepatitis B vaccine;
using condoms during sex or limiting the number of sexual partners
never sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia;
never sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail files or other personal items that may have blood on them (the virus lives in dry blood for up to seven days);
sterilizing equipment that cuts the skin (tattooing or body piecing);
using universal precautions in any situation where blood or body fluids are involved; and
wearing latex gloves.

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Where can I get a vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is available from your family doctor for a fee. Hepatitis B testing, counselling and a free vaccine are available at Sexual Health Centres and the SITE.

The Ontario Ministry of Health provides the vaccine free of charge for:

infants born to carrier mothers;
household and sexual contacts of chronic carriers;
household and sexual contacts of acute cases;
patients on renal dialysis
those with diseases requiring frequent receipt of blood products;
intravenous-drug users;
homosexual men;
heterosexuals with multiple sex partners;
those with needle-stick injuries;
children younger than seven years old whose families have emigrated from countries of high prevalence for hepatitis B and who may be exposed to HBV carriers through their extended families; and
grade 7 students (through the Hepatitis B School Immunization Program).

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