Hepatitis B is a contagious disease that attacks the liver, and is the result of infection with the Hepatitis B virus. The severity of symptoms for Hepatitis B ranges from a mild illness that may only last several weeks, to a serious, permanent condition. Hepatitis B infection can be an “acute” or “chronic” illness: Acute Hepatitis B: A short-term illness that normally manifests within the first 6 months exposure. It is possible for a Hepatitis B infection to progress from acute to chronic. Chronic Hepatitis B: A permanent, long-term condition that can occur when the Hepatitis B virus remains in an infected person’s body. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B? Symptoms of acute hepatitis B, if they appear, can vary widely. these acute symptoms can include: What are the statistics for Hepatitis B? In 2006, there were an estimated 46,000 new Hepatitis B virus infections in the United States. however, the official number of reported Hepatitis B cases is much lower than the actual number of infected people. Many people may not have symptoms and don’t know they are infected, therefore never seeking the attention of medical or public health officials. How common is chronic Hepatitis B in the US? in the United States, an estimated 800ꯠ to 1.4 million persons have chronic Hepatitis B virus infection. How is Hepatitis B transmitted? The Hepatitis B infection is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid that is infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus during activities such as: who is at increased risk for Hepatitis B? Although anyone can get hepatitis B, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:  How do I prevent Hepatitis B from happening to me? The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period. Most residents of the United States are now required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B before attending college. If you have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B you do not need any further Hepatitis B testing. Can you get tested for Hepatitis B? Yes – there are many different blood tests available to diagnose hepatitis B. since Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) is a protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus, it can be detected in the blood during acute or chronic Hepatitis B virus infection. getSTDtested.com offers a blood test for Hepatitis B, which you can test for at any of our over 2,000 local medical centers across the US. How soon do symptoms of Hepatitis B appear after infection? For most, Hepatitis B symptoms appear 90 days (or 3 months) after exposure, but symptoms can appear any time between 6 weeks and 6 months after exposure to the Hepatitis B virus. Is there a vaccine or treatment for Hepatitis B? Yes, there is a vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine series is a sequence of shots that stimulate a person’s natural immune system to protect against HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). after the vaccine is given, the body makes antibodies that protect a person against the virus. An antibody is a substance found in the blood that is produced in response to a virus invading the body. these antibodies are then stored in the body and will fight off the infection if a person is exposed to the hepatitis B virus in the future. who should be vaccinated for Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B vaccination is CDC recommended for: in order to reach individuals at risk for hepatitis B, vaccination is also recommended for anyone in or seeking treatment from the following: when should someone get the Hepatitis B vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine for Children and Adolescents: all children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the vaccine series by 6-18 months of age. all children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. “Catch-up” vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents who were never vaccinated or who did not get the entire vaccine series.The hepatitis B vaccine for Adults: any adult who is at risk for hepatitis B virus infection or who wants to be vaccinated should talk to a health professional about getting the vaccine series.while we recommend everyone get vaccinated for Hepatitis B after testing negative, at this time we can only offer the Hepatitis B Test and not the vaccine. Get tested today!