Hepatitis B

What is it? A viral infection that typically produces only mild symptoms. In clinical cases symptoms include a gradual onset including weight loss, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and rash, and jaundice. How is it transmitted? Person-to-person via infected body fluids. Sexual intercourse and skin-piercing activities are the main culprits. Where is it present? Worldwide, but higher rates in developing countries. Level of risk? Low to zero with vaccination. What can I do to prevent getting it? Get vaccinated. Avoid unprotected sex, use of unclean needles and skin piercing activity such as tattoos. Treatment? Rest, combined with a high protein/high carbohydrate diet.