While everybody is justifiably worried about AIDS, another less publicized but more contagious virus is infecting college students around the country.
Did you know?
Hepatitis B is one of the fastest spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
The Hepatitis B virus is 100 times more contagious than the AIDS virus
There are 300,000 new cases of Hepatitis B in this country every year
Your chance of getting liver cancer is 300 times higher if you have the Hepatitis B virus
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a highly contagious virus that causes liver cell damage. Up to 10 percent of infected people are infected for life and run a high risk of developing serious, long-term liver diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.
About 1/4 of chronic carriers eventually die of their severe chronic liver disease.
Symptoms, if they occur, appear from one to six months after exposure. About half of infected people never develop symptoms. However, asymptomatic individuals can still become chronically infected and continue to infect others. An infected person can begin infecting others four to six weeks before symptoms appear, and can continue infecting others long after symptoms disappear.
What are the symptoms?
Most people with Hepatitis B have no symptoms. They do not know that they have the disease unless they get a blood test. When they do have symptoms, they may be very mild and flu-like: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and muscle or joint pains. About 25 percent of infected patients develop dark urine, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), or light-colored stools.
How do you get Hepatitis B?
You can become infected with the Hepatitis B virus by having unsafe sex or from contact with infected blood or body fluids. The virus can be found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
The virus can get into the body though cuts, open sores, or moist mucous membranes like the mouth or vagina.
You are at higher risk if you share personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes. You can also get it by sharing any type of needle, including needles for drug use, tattooing, or ear piercing.
Who gets Hepatitis B?
Anybody can get Hepatitis B, but your risk is increased if you:
are sexually active
have unsafe sex
have more than one sex partner
have another STI
live with an infected individual
received blood, or blood products before 1975
share needles (it is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of people who share needles have been infected with Hepatitis B)
What is the treatment for Hepatitis B?
At this time there is no cure for Hepatitis B.
How can you help prevent Hepatitis B?
While the Hepatitis B vaccine is not one of the immunizations required for admission to Penn State, University Health Services strongly recommends that all college students receive this vaccine. It is a three-shot series and is safe and effective.
The vaccine is given in the arm and includes an initial shot, another one a month later, and the last one six months after the first. It is important to get all three shots for full protection against Hepatitis B. The total cost is $85, which can be charged to your student account.
Other ways to prevent Hepatitis B include:
Practice safer sex -- always use condoms
Do not share needles
Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or pierced earrings
If you think you may have been infected, you should see your health care provider as soon as possible for testing and to begin the vaccine. If you feel that you may be in the high-risk category, you should be tested on a regular basis.
Remember that you may be infected and have no symptoms.
You can receive more information, be tested, or receive the vaccine by calling UHS at 863-0774. Your care at UHS will be confidential.
