Acute hepatitis B infection is usually followed by complete recovery but the infection may become chronic and causes symptoms for years. An infected person with no symptoms can still spread hepatitis B to others. There are several hundred to a thousand newly diagnosed cases in Washington each year and an estimated 20,000 persons chronically infected. The virus is spread by direct contact with the blood, serum, or sexual fluids of an infected person. This can happen by sharing needles or having sex with somebody infected with hepatitis B. Transmission can also occur for people living together for a long time in the same household or institution.
Infected women can pass the virus to their babies.
Blood is now tested before transfusion to prevent spreading hepatitis B but in the past some cases resulted from blood transfusion. Medical personnel are at risk of exposure due to needle sticks. Treatment requires care from a liver disease specialist. Do not share any blood testing devices, needles, or drug equipment. Do not donate blood or organs.