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Hepatitis B
A viral infection of the liver. It can be passed by needle sharing, tattooing, sexual and other intimate contact. It has a 1-6 week incubation period. Some people become very sick with hepatitis and some also retain a smoldering infection for many years. Some patients with chronic hepatitis B infections of the liver may have such severe damage that much of their liver is destroyed. People who are chronically infected may also be at increased risk for liver cancer. It is now recommended that all infants be immunized against hepatitis B starting shortly after birth. Immunization greatly reduces the risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection. Breastfeeding by a hepatitis B-positive woman increases the risk that her child will acquire hepatitis B. If you are hepatitis B-positive, you should discuss the issue with your doctor. Screening for hepatitis B is a routine part of prenatal care.
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