Hepatitis B - NYC Health

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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that infects and can damage the liver. It is passed from one person to another through blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

Most people with chronic hepatitis B were infected during childbirth, in an area of the world where hepatitis B is common.

To connect with other people searching for help, check out the Hep Free NYC network of patients and providers.

Low-cost Testing and Treatment

These locations offer low-cost hepatitis B testing and treatment, as well as patient navigators who can provide support for you throughout the process.

These facilities do not accept walk-in visits. You must call or email to make an appointment.

For more locations in the city offering hepatitis B testing and treatment, search the NYC Health Map.

NYC Health Map

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Low-cost Locations

Bronx

BronxCare Health System Family Wellness Center
(347) 326-2075
1281 Franklin Avenue

Montefiore Medical Center
(718) 920-4410
111 East 210th Street

Brooklyn

Seventh Avenue Family Health Center at NYU Langone*
(718) 210-1030
5008 7th Avenue

Manhattan

African Services Committee*
(212) 222-3882
429 West 127th Street, 2nd Floor

Apicha Community Health Center*
(212) 334-6029
400 Broadway
Charles B Wang Community Health Center — Manhattan*
(212) 379-6996
268 Canal Street

H+H Bellevue Hospital Center — Hepatitis Clinic*
(212) 562-8484 and (212) 256-2339
462 First Avenue

Korean Community Services*
(718) 791-2197
2 West 32nd Street, Suite 604

Queens

Charles B Wang Community Health Center — Flushing
(718) 886-1200
136-26 37th Avenue, Flushing

H+H Elmhurst Hospital Center*
(718) 396-6957
79-01 Broadway

Korean Community Services*
(718) 791-219-2197
203-05 32nd Avenue

Staten Island

Brightpoint Health*
(855) 681-8700
57 Bay Street

Community Health Action of Staten Island
(718) 737-7516
56 Bay St, Staten Island

*Offers free or low-cost testing services

Prevention and Care

Prevention

The best way to avoid hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine series is recommended for all infants starting at birth. The vaccine is required for children entering school in the city.

Some adults are at risk for getting hepatitis B. It is especially important to get vaccinated if:

You live with someone with hepatitis B

You inject drugs

You work in health care, public safety or a long-term care facility and are exposed to blood or body fluids

You have had sexual contact (oral, vaginal or anal) with a person who has hepatitis B

You are a man who has sex with man

You have multiple sex partners

You are on dialysis

You are traveling to a country where hepatitis B is common

To learn how and where to get tested or vaccinated for hepatitis B:

Ask your doctor

Search the NYC Health Map for facilities near you

Visit an NYC Health walk-in immunization clinic

If you think you have been recently exposed to hepatitis B, you can get a shot that can prevent infection. For more information, talk to your doctor or go to a local emergency room.

Living with Hepatitis B

There are two phases of a hepatitis B infection:

Acute hepatitis B is a new infection. Most healthy adults will not display any symptoms and will be rid of the infection within six months. If your body successfully fights off hepatitis B, you will become immune for life.

Chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong infection. Children and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop a chronic infection. This is why it is required by law for pregnant women to get tested, so their infants can receive preventative care and vaccination starting just after birth.

Chronic hepatitis B can cause permanent damage to the liver, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

You can help manage this disease by keeping your liver healthy. You should avoid alcohol and maintain a healthy diet and body weight.

You can prevent passing along hepatitis B by making sure other people do not come into contact with your blood or sexual fluids. Cover any cut in your skin and do not share personal items, such as toothbrushes, razors or sex toys. Do not share needles or other medical or injection supplies. Use condoms when you have sex.

Treatment

If you are living with chronic hepatitis B, you should talk to your doctor about treatment options. They may prescribe an anti-viral pill for you to take regularly that can slow the progression of liver disease.

You can find low-cost care and treatment for hepatitis B using our NYC Health Map.

Additional Resources

Hepatitis B: Get Tested. Get Vaccinated Booklet (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Français | 한국어 | Русский | বাংলা | Shqiptar | O'zbek | Akan Kasa | Hausa

Get Tested and Vaccinated for Hepatitis B Palm Card (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Français | 한국어 | Русский | বাংলা | Shqiptar | O'zbek | Akan Kasa | Hausa

Protect Your Baby for Life: When a Pregnant Woman has Hepatitis B (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文

American Liver Foundation

Centers for Disease Control: Hepatitis B

Plan to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis as a Major Public Health Threat in New York City by 2030 (PDF)

Hep Free NYC: A community network for preventing, managing and treating hepatitis B and C

Subscribe to Hep Free NYC's monthly e-newsletter to learn about local events, resources and news

More Information

Hepatitis Main Page