• Infections

Hepatitis B Symptoms in Women

Medically reviewed and edited by Dr. Banita Sehgal

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is an incurable, but vaccine-preventable, liver infection caused by the hepatitis B (HBV) virus.

The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through blood or from mother to child during birth, and it is also considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In the U.S., hepatitis B is most commonly spread through sexual contact.

Hepatitis B infections can cause potentially fatal complications and around 820,000 deaths related to hepatitis B occur in the U.S. per year.

The initial phase of a hepatitis B infection is the acute phase and it’s typically short-lived. If the disease does not resolve within six months, chronic hepatitis B occurs.

Men are six times more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B, which can cause complications such as liver cirrhosis (severe liver damage), liver failure, or liver cancer.

What Causes Hepatitis B in Women?

In both men and women, hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. However, the forms of transmission are slightly different.

HVB is typically contracted by the direct mixing of blood. For example, when hypodermic needles are shared between drug users or through sexual contact.

The sexual transmission route is significant in women due to them being receptive partners during sexual intercourse, which puts women at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis B and other STIs.

A woman’s anatomy makes it easier for her to contract an STI, because viruses and bacteria can readily penetrate the vaginal lining.

However, despite women being more easily infected, 2% more men in the U.S. have hepatitis B than women. This is because vaccine uptake among women in the U.S. is higher than among men.

What are Symptoms of Hepatitis B in Women?

Women infected with hepatitis B may experience symptoms, but it is also possible that infection presents itself asymptomatically.

The CDC states that symptoms may appear within 90 days of the initial infection and can last for weeks or months thereafter. Acute hepatitis B is more likely to cause symptoms than a chronic infection.

The most common symptoms of hepatitis B include:

• Fever, muscle aches, and nausea

• Rigors (severe or violent shaking)

• Abdominal pain

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

• Itching (pruritus)

• Dark urine or pale gray stools

Symptoms that indicate severe liver damage has occurred include:

• Excessive bleeding

• Profound confusion

• Swelling or fluid retention

Hepatitis B and pregnancy

Women who are pregnant may also spread the disease to their child either while in utero, or during birth, but not through their breast milk. Hepatitis B is also responsible for an increased likelihood of miscarriage.

If a mother is known to have hepatitis B, they may be started on antiviral drugs, such as 3TC (lamivudine) or TDF (tenofovir), to reduce the amount of virus in their body and thereby decrease the likelihood of transmission.

What to do if you’re pregnant and have hepatitis B

If a woman living with hepatitis B becomes pregnant, she may be at risk of passing it on to her child, especially during birth.

There is, however, a way to decrease the chance of transmission during childbirth by using drugs known as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).

In the case of hepatitis B, infants exposed to the virus are vaccinated within 12 hours of birth and given antibodies to the virus.

If the child, however, still contracts hepatitis B, they have a 40% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B with lifelong complications.

Without PEP, the CDC estimates that 90% of infants born to mothers with hepatitis B will be infected with the virus.

If you are planning on having children, it is important to have prenatal care checkups. This is where a health care provider will screen you for health conditions, which include hepatitis B.

Where Can I Learn More About Hepatitis B?

Have you or your partner been exposed to hepatitis B? Are you pregnant and wondering how you can protect your unborn child from hepatitis B? LifeMD can help.

Whether you need to do a hepatitis B test, you’re seeking treatment, or you’d like to learn more about vaccinations and protecting your baby from HBV, book a telehealth appointment today.

Dr. Banita Sehgal

Dr. Sehgal received her medical degree from Western University in Los Angeles and trained as Chief Resident at White Memorial Medical Center, also in Los Angeles. She’s been practicing medicine for 20+ years and has a specific interest in women’s health.

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