Making the Most of the
Hepatitis B Vaccine

Since 1990, the United States has seen a 78% decline in the rates of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV), largely due to increased use of the hepatitis B vaccine by health care providers. The greatest declines have occurred among children and teens. Many adults, however, remain vulnerable and may need more information about heptatitis B and the HBV vaccine when they come to your clinic.

What should your clients know about Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver. It can’t be cured, but in most people it goes away on its own within six months. In other people, it stays with them the rest of their lives. When this happens, it is called “chronic hepatitis.”

Share these main points with your clients:

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus.

You could get hepatitis B if you:

• Have sex with someone who has the virus.
• Share needles or drugs with an infected person.
• Share earrings, razors, nail clippers, or tooth brushes with an infected person.
• Pierce your body or get a tattoo with an unclean needle.
• Touch infected blood or body fluids.

You can have hepatitis B without knowing it.

You may feel fine. Or you may just feel like you have the flu. The only way to know for sure that you have it is to have a blood test. Even if you have no signs, you can spread hepatitis B to others.

Here are the signs some people get:

• Yellow skin or eyes
• No appetite
• Feeling tired
• Brown or dark urine
• Light or gray stools

Some people also have pain in their stomach or abdomen, muscles, and/or joints.

If you have chronic hepatitis B, you could have these problems:

• You can give it to others.
• You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
• Chronic hepatitis can badly damage your liver. It can lead to cancer and even death.

How can hepatitis B be prevented?

There are several things your clients can do to lower their chances of getting HBV. Tell your clients about these steps:

• Get vaccinated.
  Safe and effective vaccines can prevent HBV. The Centers for Disease Control currently recommend vaccination for all newborns and individuals up to age 18 as well as adults who participate in activities that put them at risk of infection. The vaccine involves a series of three injections over a 6-12 month period.
• Practice safer sex by using latex condoms. People who have sex with someone with HBV can become infected if they are not vaccinated. They can protect themselves with latex condoms.
• Don't share needles or drug paraphernalia! Anything that could have an infected person’s blood on it should not be shared.

Who is at risk?

Some adults who have not been vaccinated are at high risk for HBV. These include heterosexuals with multiple sex partners, injection-drug users, men who have sex with men and household contacts and sex partners of persons with chronic HBV infection. Vaccination for these individuals is strongly recommended.

Help your clients protect themselves and others.

As part of your practice, identify adult clients who may be at high risk for HBV. Tell them about the health benefits of vaccination and help them get the vaccine.

For clients who have hepatitis B, stress the importance of healthy behaviors. These are some of the things they should know:

• Get the treatment you need. Return to the clinic as often as you need to.
• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Tell your partner(s) and family members to get the series of three shots (the vaccine) over six months. These shots help prevent hepatitis B.
• Don’t share needles or drugs.
• Don’t share earrings, razors, nail clippers, piercing jewelry, toothbrushes, or sex toys.

For More Information

You can give your clients easy-to-read information on HBV symptoms, prevention and treatment. Click here to go to the CFHC store.

You can also refer clients to the American Social Health Association website for more detailed information about hepatitis B and other STDs.