Deadly and easily spread, hepatitis is responsible for a sizeable number of deaths from liver disease. One out of 20 people in the United States are expected to contract hepatitis B at some point in their lives, increasing their chances of being one of the 4,000 to 5,000 U.S. citizens who will die from cirrhosis and liver cancer annually. In the United States, the disease can occur as an isolated incident or in widespread epidemics. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation, along with vaccines, can help prevent infection. When symptoms do occur, they tend to appear abruptly and may include fever, exhaustion, jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort and dark urine.
Symptoms usually last less than two months.
The vaccine is given prior to exposure to the virus. Another product, immune globulin, is a preparation of antibodies engineered for short-term protection against hepatitis A. Immune globulin may be given to individuals already exposed to the hepatitis A virus, but it must be given within two weeks after exposure for maximum protection. It is not spread through food, water or by casual contact. People who have sex with more than one partner. Men who have sex with men.