Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
	Although most adults with HBV recover completely, the virus can cause severe liver disease and death.  Unless they are treated within an hour of birth, the vast majority of the infants born to women with HBV will carry the virus.  Pregnant women who may have been exposed to HBV should consider being tested before giving birth so that their babies can be vaccinated at birth or treated if they become ill.  Like many other viruses, HBV remains in the body for life. HBV is the only sexually transmitted infection that is preventable with vaccination. Common Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, headache, fever, hives, lack of apetite, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in the lower abdomen. Later symptoms:  more abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stool, jaundice.  HBV may show no symptoms during its most contagious phases.  If symptoms appear, they appear within the first four weeks of exposure. How HBV is spread: In semen, saliva, blood, and urine by: Intimate and sexual contact, from kissing to vaginal, anal and oral intercourse. Use of unclean needles to inject drugs. Accidental pricks with contaminated needles in the course of health care.  Hepatitis B is very contagious. Diagnosis: Blood test Treatment: None.  In most cases the infection clear within 4-8 weeks.  Some people, however, remain contagious for the rest of their lives. Protection: Condoms offer some protection against HBV during vaginal, anal and oral intercourse, but the virus can be passed through kissing and other intimate touching.  Children and adults who do not ahve BV can get permanent protection with a series of HBV vaccinations.