Barnard College Student Health Services

Hepatitis B
A Preventable Disease
• What is it?
• How is it spread?
• Who gets it?
• What if I get it?
• Can I protect myself?
• Does the vaccine have any risks?
• How do I get the vaccine?
• Should I be vaccinated?
• What does it cost?
WHAT IS IT?
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It causes an acute illness that can also progress to chronic disease, including liver failure and liver cancer. Many people have no symptoms with hepatitis B; others develop jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark urine, marked fatigue and nausea.
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Like AIDS, hepatitis B is spread by sexual contact or contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. Hepatitis B is found in semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva and can be passed by vaginal, oral or anal intercourse. Hepatitis B is MUCH MORE contagious than AIDS.
You can get hepatitis B is you are exposed to an infected person's blood through cuts, open sores, or mucous membranes.
Rarely you may get hepatitis B from infected blood products, although all blood in the United States is carefully screened.
If someone in your household is infected, you could get hepatitis B by sharing razors. You can also become infected by sharing any type of needle, including those use for ear piercing or tattoos.
Hepatitis B can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby. Vaccination can protect you and your future children.
WHO GETS IT?
Anyone can. About 300,00 Americans each year get this disease. Many of them are young adults and adolescents. You are at greater risk of hepatitis B if you:
• are sexually active.
• have sex without condoms or dental dams.
• have more than one sex partner.
• have another sexually transmitted disease.
• share needles for injecting drugs, ear piercing, etc.
• are from an area where hepatitis B is very common (Alaska, Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa, Amazon).
• spend large amounts of time in an area where hepatitis B is very common.
WHAT IF I GET IT?
Since Hepatitis B is a virus, there is no specific medical treatment. We prescribe rest, and a high carbohydrate, high-quality protein diet to protect the liver and repair damaged cells. 90% of those infected recover fully; about 10% have chronic illness.
CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?
YES!!! There is a safe and effective vaccine. Also, if you have sex you can reduce your risk by using condoms and dental dams, and limiting your sex partners, which will also reduce your risk of many other sexually transmitted diseases.
DOES THE VACCINE HAVE ANY RISKS?
As with most vaccines, you will probably notice arm soreness for a day or two afterwards. A medicine like Tylenol or Advil or Nuprin will reduce the soreness. Other side effects, such as nausea or fever, are possible, but rare.
HOW DO I GET THE VACCINE?
Three injections are given in the arm over a six month period. All three doses are important to be adequately protected. A booster may be required after 5-7 years.
SHOULD I BE VACCINATED?
Yes. Public health experts now recommend the vaccine for infants, as well as young adults and adolescents, especially those who are sexually active. The American College Health Association recommends the vaccine for all college students.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
At Barnard Student Health Services you can get the vaccine for $35 per shot, or $105 for the full series. THIS IS A 50% REDUCTION FROM THE NORMAL COST OF THE VACCINE.
We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to protect yourself against an important sexually transmitted disease. Please come speak with us in Health Services if you have any further questions.


Home >Publications		Welcome to Barnard College Student Health Services * Location: Lower Level Brooks Hall * 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 * Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. * Tuesday 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. GYN (by appointment only) * Tel: 212-854-2091 * Fax: 212-854-2702 * Closed Thursday 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (Staff Meeting)
	Hepatitis B A Preventable Disease • What is it? • How is it spread? • Who gets it? • What if I get it? • Can I protect myself? • Does the vaccine have any risks? • How do I get the vaccine? • Should I be vaccinated? • What does it cost? WHAT IS IT? Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It causes an acute illness that can also progress to chronic disease, including liver failure and liver cancer. Many people have no symptoms with hepatitis B; others develop jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), dark urine, marked fatigue and nausea. HOW IS IT SPREAD? Like AIDS, hepatitis B is spread by sexual contact or contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. Hepatitis B is found in semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva and can be passed by vaginal, oral or anal intercourse. Hepatitis B is MUCH MORE contagious than AIDS. You can get hepatitis B is you are exposed to an infected person's blood through cuts, open sores, or mucous membranes. Rarely you may get hepatitis B from infected blood products, although all blood in the United States is carefully screened. If someone in your household is infected, you could get hepatitis B by sharing razors. You can also become infected by sharing any type of needle, including those use for ear piercing or tattoos. Hepatitis B can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby. Vaccination can protect you and your future children. WHO GETS IT? Anyone can. About 300,00 Americans each year get this disease. Many of them are young adults and adolescents. You are at greater risk of hepatitis B if you: • are sexually active. • have sex without condoms or dental dams. • have more than one sex partner. • have another sexually transmitted disease. • share needles for injecting drugs, ear piercing, etc. • are from an area where hepatitis B is very common (Alaska, Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa, Amazon). • spend large amounts of time in an area where hepatitis B is very common. WHAT IF I GET IT? Since Hepatitis B is a virus, there is no specific medical treatment. We prescribe rest, and a high carbohydrate, high-quality protein diet to protect the liver and repair damaged cells. 90% of those infected recover fully; about 10% have chronic illness. CAN I PROTECT MYSELF? YES!!! There is a safe and effective vaccine. Also, if you have sex you can reduce your risk by using condoms and dental dams, and limiting your sex partners, which will also reduce your risk of many other sexually transmitted diseases. DOES THE VACCINE HAVE ANY RISKS? As with most vaccines, you will probably notice arm soreness for a day or two afterwards. A medicine like Tylenol or Advil or Nuprin will reduce the soreness. Other side effects, such as nausea or fever, are possible, but rare. HOW DO I GET THE VACCINE? Three injections are given in the arm over a six month period. All three doses are important to be adequately protected. A booster may be required after 5-7 years. SHOULD I BE VACCINATED? Yes. Public health experts now recommend the vaccine for infants, as well as young adults and adolescents, especially those who are sexually active. The American College Health Association recommends the vaccine for all college students. WHAT DOES IT COST? At Barnard Student Health Services you can get the vaccine for $35 per shot, or $105 for the full series. THIS IS A 50% REDUCTION FROM THE NORMAL COST OF THE VACCINE. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to protect yourself against an important sexually transmitted disease. Please come speak with us in Health Services if you have any further questions.