Report within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.
Hepatitis B is liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is spread by contact with infected people’s blood, semen, or other body fluids. Anyone can get hepatitis B, but some people are at higher risk. These people include: infants born to mothers with hepatitis B, those who share needles or syringes or other drug-injection equipment, health care workers who have contact with blood, staff and clients of hemodialysis facilities, household and sexual contacts of infected people and immigrants, adoptees and travelers to areas of the world where hepatitis B is common. For some people, hepatitis B is an acute, or short-term, illness; but for others it can become a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious health issues, like cirrhosis or liver cancer. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated.
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