Types of STIs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a germ (virus) that gets into your body and attacks your liver. Your liver helps your body digest the food you eat and store energy. It also helps your body get rid of poisons.

There are cases where hepatitis B can cause liver damage (cirrhosis [sir-O-sis]) that does not go away. Hepatitis B can also cause liver cancer, which may lead to death. Good medical care can make your risk less for these.

How is it passed?

It is passed by contact with the blood or other body fluids of someone who has the virus.

Fluids can be passed by:

Having sex without condoms with someone who has hepatitis B

Being born to a mother who has hepatitis B

Sharing needles and syringes

You can pass hepatitis B to others if you have just gotten the virus (acute hepatitis) or if you are a carrier of the virus (chronic hepatitis).

The hepatitis B virus takes about 2 months to show up in your blood. It may stay in your blood for months or years.

There are two types of hepatitis B.

Acute Hepatitis B

9 out of every 10 adults will get rid of the virus from their bodies after a few months. We say they have acute hepatitis B.

Chronic Hepatitis B

1 out of every 10 adults will never get rid of the virus from their bodies. We say they have chronic hepatitis B. They are called carriers.

Check with your doctor about treatment for chronic hepatitis B. Most people with chronic hepatitis B will remain carriers of the virus if they do not get treated.

Symptoms show up one to nine months after contact with the hepatitis B virus

• Flu-like symptoms (that do not go away)


• Tiredness


• Jaundice


• Dark urine, light-colored bowel movements

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Infectious Diseases