Algoma Public Health

Hepatitis B

A viral disease that affects the liver.
About 10% of cases will carry the virus for many years, possibly life.
The younger an individual is when exposed to HBV infection, the more likely they will become a chronic carrier.
This carrier state can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver late in life.

Sault Ste. Marie: 705-942-4646

Blind River: 705-356-2551

Elliot Lake: 705-848-2314

Wawa: 705-856-7208

By sexual contact with an infected person.
By contact with infected blood (need a route of entry, i.e. crack in skin).
By sharing needles.
By sharing toothbrushes or razor blades.
By receiving a bite from an infected person.
By receiving a tattoo or piercing with unsterilized needles or contaminated water.

It is not spread by water, food or by casual contact that occurs at most schools or workplaces.

For weeks before the onset of symptoms and for as long as the person is carrying the virus.

After assessment of a doctor, sometimes medications are used to treat the carrier state.
When and how to treat your hepatitis B is a decision between you and your doctor.
Current research is directed toward finding other effective antiviral treatments.
These treatments do not provide a cure, but they offer control of the virus so that further damage to your liver can be prevented.

Eat nutritious food.
Avoid or limit alcohol intake.
Use safe sex practices. Your partner should consult a doctor for testing as soon as possible.
If testing proves that your partner has no protection against hepatitis B, he/she will be advised to receive hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine.
Everyone who lives in your home should be tested and offered the hepatitis B vaccine as needed.
Tell your doctor, dentist and other health care providers that you are infected so that they can take the necessary precautions.
Do not give blood or donate your organs.
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers or needles with other people
Clean up blood with freshly diluted household bleach (1 part bleach, 9 parts water). The bleach will kill any hepatitis B left on the surface.
Discard articles contaminated with blood in a plastic bag.
Cover cuts and sores with bandages.

Hepatitis B vaccine can protect you against the hepatitis B virus.
All pregnant women should have prenatal testing so that newborns can received hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin if needed.
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers or needles with other people.
Use safer sex practices.
Only received tattoos or piercings at facilities that use single use needles and inks and/or follow proper sterilization procedures.

For further information contact the Communicable Disease Control Program at 705-942-4646 or toll free at 1-866-892-0172.

Date created:	June 1, 2015
Last modified:	Feb 25, 2016