Hepatitis B

What is it?                                                      

• Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that causes hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver

• Symptoms include anorexia (loss of appetite), abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (< 50% of cases), and dark urine in some cases

• Long term chronic infection with HBV can cause cirrhosis of the liver and potentially cause liver cancer

How is it spread?

• HBV is parenterally transmitted through blood or body fluids, sexual contact or to infants via perinatal exposure

• In health care facilities, HBV is spread by contact with infected fluids due to sharps injuries, through cuts or wounds on the surface of the skin or mucosal exposure such as splashes into the eyes or mouth

• Communally used razors or toothbrushes have also been implicated as vehicles for HBV transmission

Where is it found?
• In the blood and body fluids of people infected with HBV
• HBV can survive in the environment for at least 7 days in blood or body fluids

Prevention and control
• Ensure health care workers are immunized, as they are at high risk for exposure, and immunization is the
primary method of preventing the transmission of HBV
• Use routine practices to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids: equipment must be cleaned and
disinfected if contaminated, use proper personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves and face protection
where there will be contact with blood and body fluids), employ safe sharp handling and use safety
engineered medical devices where available
• Seek medical attention after a sharps exposure to initiate post‐exposure protocols
• Discourage sharing of razors or toothbrushes among residents/patients
• Follow safer sex practices and don’t share needles, straws, pipes or other drug‐related utensils

****ALL EMPLOYEES CAN RECEIVE THE HEP B VACCINE THROUGH THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH OFFICE IF NEEDED***

CONTACT THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH OFFICE AT EXT. 4711