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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've been infected with hepatitis B, take steps to protect others from the virus. For instance:
- Take precautions to make sex safer. The only way to protect your sexual partner or partners from your hepatitis B infection is to avoid sexual contact. If you choose to have sex, talk to your partners about the risk of transmitting HBV. Use a new latex condom every time you have sexual contact. But remember that while using condoms may reduce the risk of spreading HBV, they don't eliminate the risk completely.
- Tell your sexual partner(s) you have HBV. Let anyone with whom you've had sex know that you have HBV. Your partners need to be tested and receive medical care if they have the virus. They also need to know their HBV status so that they don't infect others.
- Don't share needles or syringes. If you use IV drugs, never share your needles and syringes with anyone.
- Don't donate blood or organs. Donating infected blood or organs spreads the virus.
- Don't share razor blades or toothbrushes. These items may carry traces of infected blood.
- If you're pregnant, tell your doctor you have HBV. That way, your baby can be treated as soon as he or she is born.
References
- FAQs for the public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/bFAQ.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Hepatitis B. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/info/hepatitisb/. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- What I need to know about hepatitis B. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Mast EE, et al. A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) part II: Immunization of adults. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5516a1.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Understanding hepatitis. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Viral hepatitis screening. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/ViralHepatitisScreening.aspx. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Lok ASF, et al. AASLD practice guidelines: Chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2007;45:507.
- Milk thistle. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Mast EE, et al. A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) part 1: Immunization of infants, children and adolescents. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2005;54:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a1.htm. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Perrillo R, et al. Hepatitis B and D. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155081399-2/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
