Hepatitis B Prevention, Testing, and Vaccine – Protect Your Liver
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Chronic HBV can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. Many people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms but can still spread the virus—making awareness and testing critical.
How Does Hepatitis B Spread?
Hepatitis B is highly contagious and spreads through infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. Common transmission routes include:
Mother-to-child during birth
Sharing needles or syringes
Unprotected sex with an infected partner
Sharing razors or toothbrushes
Important: Hepatitis B is NOT spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, coughing, or sharing food/drinks.
Signs and Symptoms
Many people don’t show symptoms, but when they do, they may experience:
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting
Loss of appetite
Joint or muscle pain
Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, clay-colored stools
Prevention: The Hepatitis B Vaccine
The best protection against hepatitis B is vaccination. Recommended vaccines include Engerix-B, Heplisav-B, and Recombivax HB. Who should get vaccinated?
All infants
Unvaccinated children under 19
Adults aged 19–59
Adults 60+ with risk factors (and even those without risk factors)
Other prevention tips:
Avoid sharing needles or razors
Practice safe sex
Ensure blood safety
Talk to your healthcare provider if pregnant or at risk
Who Is at Risk?
You may be at higher risk if you:
Have multiple sexual partners or STIs
Have HIV or hepatitis C
Use injection drugs
Were born in or to parents from high-prevalence countries
Live with someone who has hepatitis B
Are on long-term dialysis
Have elevated liver enzymes
Testing and Screening
The CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime. Testing is simple—a blood test can show if you’re infected, immune, or at risk. Pregnant women, infants of infected mothers, and those with ongoing risk should be tested more often.
Take Action Today
Get tested. Get vaccinated. Protect your liver.
Visit our pharmacy for your Hepatitis B vaccine today!
Learn more from trusted sources: CDC Hepatitis B Basics and Hepatitis B Sexual Health.
Author:
Katherine Chanthalangsy, PharmD
University of the Pacific (UOP) Class of 2026
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, June). HEPATITIS b [Press release]. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/pdfs/HepBGeneralFactSheet.pdf
Hepatitis B Basics. (2025, August 29). Hepatitis B. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/about/index.html
Hepatitis B vaccine. (2025, September 18). Hepatitis B. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/vaccination/index.html
Hepatitis B vaccine (Interim) VIS. (2025, February 28). Vaccines & Immunizations. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/hepatitis-b.html
Home » Hepatitis B Foundation. (n.d.). https://www.hepb.org/
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2025, July 23). Hepatitis B. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b