What Is It

A viral infection affecting the liver.

How Many Get It

About 77,000 new cases a year acquired through sexual transmission. About 750,000 people are already infected with Hepatitis B as a result of unprotected sexual activity.

Signs

Many people don't have any symptoms. Others may experience tiredness, aches, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, darkening of urine, or tenderness in the stomach, usually within one to 6 months of exposure. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (called jaundice) can occur later.

How It's Spread

Through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex, but also through sharing contaminated needles or any behavior in which a person's mucus membranes are exposed to an infected person's blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva. The chance of getting it through kissing is low.

Treatment

Most cases clear up within one to two months without treatment, during which time you should not drink alcohol until liver function returns to normal. Some people are contagious for the rest of their lives. A three-dose vaccine is now available.

Possible Consequences

Increased risk for infection of other STDs, including HIV. Chronic, persistent inflammation of the liver and later cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. If you are pregnant, your baby must be immunized at birth.

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