Take control of your sexual health from home or on the go

Many STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are curable with antibiotics. 

This can lead some people to believe that they can self-treat and wait until their symptoms get worse before seeking medical help. Not so fast: Untreated STDs can make you infertile, cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or even be deadly if you develop untreated syphilis or HIV. All of these conditions—and many others—can also have serious complications for pregnant women, including a higher risk of miscarriage and preterm birth. 

So how can you test yourself for STDs at home? 

There’s no way around it—you need to visit your doctor or sexual health clinic to get tested unless you are in a monogamous relationship and know your partner is STD-free. However, there are several tests you can buy online; however, most doctors will warn against using them because they may not give accurate results. STD testing kits should only be used by patients who suspect that they may have an STD, but don’t want to go through more extensive testing. In general, sexually transmitted diseases in men usually cause discharge from your penis, irritation and/or itching of your genital area, skin rashes, and sores on your genitals or anus. 

In women, STDs tend to cause vaginal discharges/itching, pain when urinating, bleeding between periods, and abdominal pain/pelvic discomfort. 

Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of these signs, which indicate possible STDs. Also keep in mind that while condoms may protect against certain STDs, such as HIV/AIDS, HPV, and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) – meaning that a condom has been shown to reduce transmission risk –they do not prevent exposure to all types of sexually transmitted infections. 

Condoms provide limited protection against human papillomavirus (HPV), trichomoniasis, and molluscum contagiosum. 

The best way to avoid STDs is simply being honest about your sexual history with each new partner—always use protection during sex and play it safe by avoiding risky behaviors like anal intercourse when either person has had multiple partners or if you have little information about your prospective sex partners’ STD status. Your body speaks volumes, so listen carefully! It’s always a good idea to pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel sick, see a doctor—it’s almost always better to err on the side of caution. Also note that while some STDs show no symptoms at first, they can become life-threatening if left untreated.

You might not know, but there’s more to HIV than you know.

How do you know if you’re HIV positive? Early HIV symptoms might seem like a bad case of the flu and typically, they’re short-lived and often mistaken for another viral infection.

EarlyHIVsymptoms has extensive information on early HIV symptoms, what they mean, how to tell if you have them, as well as providing accurate information on what those symptoms could actually be signaling.

Getting the flu isn’t the worst thing in the world, but being so sick from it that you can’t get out of bed for a week is.

But how do you know if you actually have the flu or another infection? Symptoms might not appear until a few weeks after infection and they may vary from person to person.

Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information so you can take steps to keep yourself and your partner(s) healthy.

Not knowing your HIV status is a problem.

Testing for HIV isn’t an unpleasant experience. In fact, it is as easy as peeing on a stick. There are also medications that will reduce the chance of infection, or suppress any symptoms if you already have HIV. Knowing your HIV status gives you the information you need to protect yourself from future health problems and to work with your doctor on any other health concerns you may have.

Start protecting yourself and those around you today: Know your HIV status and stay informed about other health care options available to you.

HIV is still a scary diagnosis.

HIV is more common than you might think. 1 in 7 people worldwide are infected with HIV. That’s 33 million people living with HIV, most without knowing they’re carrying the virus. And of course, there are more people out there carrying HIV that we don’t even know about. Statistically speaking, someone close to you may already be living with HIV without knowing it yet.

Testing for HIV has never been easier or more accessible. By testing early, people can start taking medications to keep themselves healthy and reduce the chance of passing the virus on to others even if they haven’t developed any symptoms yet.

Sometimes we don’t realize we’re already infected with HIV because we don’t notice any symptoms.

For some people, having HIV means they’ll never be able to enjoy sex again. But wait, is it even possible to know if you’ve been infected? Yes, absolutely. But the only way you can know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.

The best way to find out for sure is through a test called an RNA PCR Rapid Test or a NAT Urine NAT Rapid Test. What’s more, all home tests will be covered by your insurance and some tests can detect HIV from 3 days up to 6 months before your symptom stage. So what are you waiting for?

You might not know if you have HIV because the virus doesn’t always cause symptoms.

Plus, there are many cases where people don’t experience any symptoms.

With your blood drawn during your visit, we’ll give you an HIV rapid test in just 20 minutes. After collecting your blood, the blood specimen will be transported in refrigerated conditions to the lab for testing.

Do you know if you have HIV without having to get tested?

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell whether or not one has HIV without an actual HIV test. Even though there may be symptoms, they’re not a reliable way to know for sure whether you’re reinfected with the virus. In fact, some people won’t experience any symptoms at all. HIV is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids including blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid (also called pre-cum), vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk.

Thankfully the test kits from HealthyMD do not require an actual physical visit but can instead be purchased online and sent directly to your home for a discreet result 24/7.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

But sometimes, not everyone has symptoms and so, they don’t see a doctor. Many times, people may have been infected for months or years without knowing it or being diagnosed with HIV because they didn’t present any symptoms. They could unknowingly spread the virus to other people during that time.

Luckily there’s a blood test here at HealthyMD that can detect HIV in oral fluid when taken from saliva or from swabbing the inside of your mouth without an appointment or coming into contact with a healthcare professional in a medical setting. The whole process takes less than 40 minutes and in some cases, within 20 minutes!

Having HIV, or AIDS has a huge impact on one’s life.

Not only does it affect how you look, but also how long you’re able to live. AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in the US with one out of every six deaths in adults between 25 and 44 years old coming from AIDS-related complications. The direct medical cost for treating HIV is $17 billion each year in the US. Furthermore, once someone has HIV there can be health complications such as dementia or heart disease that impact everyday life.

Getting diagnosed is the first step towards having control over your life again! Knowing your status puts you back in charge. So whether you’re worried about recently engaging in unprotected sex, worried about engaging in sex at all (gays included), worried about whether or not an intimate partner was truthful about their status, or worried about what might happen if you ever thought about having sex without protection, starting your journey to an AIDS-free future starts with getting tested at clinics like IMG Health Clinic.

The average person doesn’t understand how to prevent HIV.

Because of that, many people think their risk of getting HIV is low, but it could be very high. Lots of times when people think they’re in control, it turns out they’re not! For example, one-in-eight heterosexual Americans who do not use condoms consistently is living with HIV.

We make this information very clear to anyone wanting to learn more about preventing HIV/AIDS by providing all the information necessary in an easy-to-understand way. Our goal is for no one else to end up like those 8% who do not understand how they’re at risk and try to justify themselves with falsehoods like, ¨I never put myself in situations where I’m likely to get infected¨.

As if figuring out how to get HIV wasn’t bad enough, the virus is also sneaky. So much so that HIV can infect an HIV-negative person without them even knowing it has happened. This means that there’s a chance that you could still be spreading HIV even if you’re being careful and using protection.

But luckily there’s a solution, too! Using Truvada as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in accordance with healthcare provider guidelines has been shown to prevent 99% of HIV infections in studies in gay men, people who inject drugs, and heterosexual men and women when taken daily as directed.

Worried that you might have HIV or AIDS?

Take a step towards being at peace with yourself and stop worrying. Let a medical professional determine whether or not you’re HIV-positive for free. No other medical test can provide as many insights as an HIV test. Additionally, if you do have HIV or AIDS, taking medication from the onset will reduce transmission rates from HIV from mother to child from 35% to 1%.

Know what health issues could be affecting you by taking an HIV test today!

Half of the HIV diagnoses each year in the United States are among men.

Every year, nearly 8,000 gay and bisexual men receive an HIV diagnosis in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That means that nearly half of all HIV diagnoses every year are among men who have sex with other men.

More than ever before, LGBT people need information on their sexual health including safe sex practices. Thankfully there’s AHF which provides comprehensive online resources for LGBT community members who want to educate themselves on safe sex practices or talk with counselors about how to maintain sexual health during periods of high risk.

You’ve had unprotected sex.

You might have slept with someone who’s HIV-positive. Or perhaps you’re worried about being one of the 6% of gay men in America who are HIV-positive but don’t know yet.

The thing is, your mind can play tricks on you. It seems like every physical symptom that could exist relates to HIV, even when the probability is low. That’s why finding out sooner rather than later is so important. Now you can order an HIV Rapid Test kit today and discover your status in 20 minutes (in some states) or less!

How do I know if I have HIV?

If you want an answer to that question today, with a matter of minutes or hours, there’s a pretty short answer: get tested in a clinic. The only way to know for sure is through an HIV test.

A recent diagnosis can be absolutely devastating for those with the virus as well as those close to them. This is why today more than ever, you need protection from one of the most trusted brands in HIV prevention — PrEP! PrEP is an extremely convenient and effective medication, taken daily and has been proven to reduce the risk of contracting HIV by over 90%.

How accurate is an HIV antibody test after 4 months?

Just because you are being tested to determine if you have the virus, doesn’t mean it will be 100% accurate. The earlier the exposure, the more likely it is for your antibody count to detect an infection. Some experts state that 98% of people would have detectable antibodies within 6 weeks while 95% of people would have detectable antibodies within 1 month. So while some experts claim 1 month while others claim 6 weeks, both experts would agree that waiting past 4 months before testing could lead to inaccurate results.

Be sure to take a HIV test as soon as possible or risk waiting too long and receiving inaccurate results. The only way to know if you’re HIV positive is with an HIV test — but remember: not all tests are created equal and one without a detection window could produce unreliable results if taken too early or too late after exposure.

As unfortunate as it is, not everyone who gets exposed to HIV actually contracts the virus.

In these cases, taking a test after a certain amount of time can provide some reassurance that they were exposed to HIV and didn’t contract it.

To put yourself at ease from uncertainty from taking an HIV test: take the test as soon as possible and wait for 4 months.

The uncertainty around HIV tests worries many people. After all, it could mean the difference between years of peace of mind or days of panic attacks.

But what if you could get an accurate result without having to go through months of uncertain waiting?

We understand how important this is for you, which is why we have a HIV Test kit which offers 98% accuracy if taken during the first few weeks after possible exposure.

Whether you’re knowingly or unknowingly infected, there is still a chance you’ll develop HIV. Over 60% of the people who become infected never experience any symptoms, so there is no way of knowing if you have HIV unless you get tested. But if untreated, the virus will gradually destroy your immune system over time, eventually leading to AIDS. Without proper treatment in early stages of infection, 90% of those infected with HIV will die. Take care of yourself and ensure that you are being vigilant in prevention methods or visiting your doctor when needed.

Because this happens behind closed doors without detection from others, most people miss out on how they’re doing until it’s too late. Find out today whether or not your lifestyle or habits could put you at risk for an infection today.

Not knowing whether or not you’re infected with HIV.

Ignorance is such a strong word, but one that so accurately describes how most people feel when it comes to their health. You wouldn’t go for an annual checkup if you didn’t know what was wrong with your body. And yet, not knowing whether or not you’re infected with HIV puts your future at risk every day.

A simple HIV test could bring clarity to your health status today. And knowing your HIV status could give you the power to make informed decisions about the rest of your life.

Have you been wondering if you have HIV but haven’t been tested?

If yes, then there is a problem that needs solving. HIV is a virus that can harm you and those around you if it’s not diagnosed early on. It’s important to know as soon as possible so you can talk to a doctor or health care professional about treatment and prevention strategies.

The only way to find out if you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing as soon as possible can change your life because now there are medications that work against HIV, even if the disease has progressed far. And now that testing has become easier, all it takes is a simple blood or oral test that anyone over the age of 18 can take without appointment or notice from others. Talk to your doctor or health care doctor today about how to go about getting tested for HIV.

There are over 1 million Americans living with HIV.

Nearly 1/7 of those people living with HIV aren’t even aware of their infection. This is not only dangerous for them, but also others, such as their loved ones and coworkers, who may unknowingly contract the virus from these unaware HIV carriers.

This awareness campaign encourages those who have been exposed to the virus to take a test as soon as possible to determine whether or not they’ve contracted HIV.

How long can you have HIV without any symptoms?

HIV is a sneaky virus. It can take months to show signs. In fact, if you’re constantly infected with other things (like other viruses), then HIV may not show any symptoms at all. So how do you know if you’re infected or not?

Protect yourself by getting tested for HIV with our fast, easy test. You can order tests online or pick them up at one of our stores near you. Testing takes minutes and it´s fast and affordable. After you take the test, get your results privately online.

The facts are not on your side if you do not know your status. A person who doesn’t know they’re HIV positive (who tests negative for HIV antibodies) could give someone else HIV during sexual contact.

The AIDS pandemic can be stopped. Knowing one’s status is key to stopping the spread of HIV infection.

Start taking HIV PrEP today!

HIV is terrifyingly common, with 1.2 million new cases reported each year.

Not only is it common, but it has debilitating side effects. People live in fear of their loved ones catching the virus, which may lead to severe emotional distress or severe depression. The process of receiving treatment or even being diagnosed is agonizingly painful with patients being forced to reckon with their own mortality.

Doctors have seen success in treating HIV through nPEP treatment after exposure to HIV infection. mPEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, which means taking medicine after being exposed to HIV that lowers your chances of getting it! And you only need to start taking nPEP within 72 hours after exposure for it to work properly, so it may be the difference between life and death.

Don’t let HIV ruin your life.

Post-exposure prophylaxis or nPEP is a way to prevent HIV infection after exposure. nPEP must be started within 72 hours after exposure, so it’s essential to know the signs of infection ASAP! HIV gets stronger over time, but there’s no reason why you should be diagnosed with it if you’re educated about prevention.

The CDC provides free material that teaches how to identify the signs of HIV. By visiting their website, learning how these symptoms look and understanding their meaning, one can take action quickly to prevent themselves from being infected with HIV.

We often fear coming into contact with HIV because of its effects.

Many of us only hear about HIV through stories of widows and death, which can lead to feelings of avoidance and fear.

nPEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. They are both medications taken to stop the spread of HIV infection. The sooner you start, the better it works! This eliminates the uncertainty associated with a diagnosis with HIV, as well as complications arising from the disease itself.

Prevention With PrEP Is Key In Preventing the Spread of HIV.

How can you avoid getting HIV? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, 1 out of 8 people between the ages of 13 and 49 have HIV. If you’re sexually active with multiple partners or without protection, you may want to consider getting tested frequently or take precautions like using condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. This article explores how to prevent contracting HIV through sexual contact or exposure to contaminated blood, as well as how to get tested for HIV early and often to get treated quickly if necessary.

Use PrEP as an added layer of protection against infection.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a way for HIV-negative people to prevent contracting HIV by taking daily antiretroviral medication. PrEP is most effective when taken consistently every day. If you’re looking to add extra protection from HIV in addition to condoms, consider talking with your doctor about starting PrEP as soon as possible. 

There’s No Time Like Now: There are plenty of ways to prevent getting infected with HIV. But many of them rely on actions that can only happen before sexual contact has occurred. Before having sex, there’s no time like now to take steps toward prevention. This could mean using a condom correctly during intercourse or using an insertive sex toy correctly (or both). These additional measures can make all the difference between acquiring and avoiding infection, so please don’t skip them!

Are you infected with HIV but don’t know it yet?

If you are sexually active, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about getting tested for HIV infection. He or she can recommend a lab and help you get an appointment. Since people who don’t know they’re infected can’t take part in treatment that would keep them from spreading the virus, early detection is important. A simple blood test can detect antibodies produced by your body’s response to HIV. The sooner you know whether you have been exposed to HIV, the sooner you can start taking steps to avoid infecting others. Also, be sure to ask your doctor what kind of follow-up testing is needed after a positive result; your health care provider may want additional testing before making a final diagnosis so that any false positives do not lead to unnecessary worry or stress.

Know if you have been exposed to HIV.

If you or your partner have recently been exposed to HIV, it’s important that you get tested at least 4 weeks later. This will ensure you have enough time for a negative result as one-third of people with HIV experience a false-positive test result in their first few weeks after infection.

Get tested regularly and learn your status.

Knowing your status can help you develop an undetectable viral load if you are HIV positive. Having an undetectable viral load makes it much less likely that a person with HIV will transmit it during unprotected sex. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can not only suppress HIV, but it can also reduce viral load to undetectable levels.

Avoid risky behavior.

Preventing HIV infection can be as simple as following a few guidelines. The first step to preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is abstinence from sex (or proper protection if having sex). But for those who do engage in sexual activity, consider it a good idea to get tested for STDs and/or have an open conversation with your partner about testing. It’s important to note that there are no 100% guarantees when it comes to preventing any sexually transmitted infection; certain factors may increase your risk, such as age or gender.

Understand your risks for contracting HIV.

Regular testing for HIV and other STDs is essential if you’re sexually active. If you’ve been exposed to HIV, there are medications that can help prevent you from contracting it. These drugs, called post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), should be taken within 72 hours of exposure and must be taken every day for 28 days. nPEP works best when given early in infection when antibodies have not yet formed against HIV.

Sexually Transmitted Infections That You Can Test Yourself For At Home

Finding out that you have a sexually transmitted infection can be scary. Not only are they embarrassing to discuss with your doctor, but the symptoms can also be pretty severe if left undiagnosed or untreated — which makes it even more tempting to not visit your doctor in the first place. But before you try any do-it-yourself STD tests, it’s important to understand exactly what they can and cannot tell you about your health.

1) Getting STD Tests Done Online Can Save You Time And Money

The high-quality STD testing kits from HealthyMD for all your diagnostics needs can give you peace of mind. Check for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, Trichomoniasis, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, and more – all with a few swabs and finger pricks from home. Don’t leave it to chance; know your status! Order your STD testing kit today.

With your results, you can take steps to treat any infections you have. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that your partners get tested and treated, too. If they don’t see a doctor, they could infect other people – or re-infect you! Don’t let an infection slip by undetected. Call today to order your testing kit!

2) What Are The Most Common STDs?

The most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are actually a lot less scary than they sound. And that’s exactly why it’s important to be able to recognize and treat them quickly. They include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, Trichomoniasis, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, and Syphilis. These are what medical professionals call STDs—or sexually transmitted diseases—and they can wreak havoc on your body if left untreated. But before you panic, know that not all of these infections have to be treated with medications; many people don’t experience any symptoms at all. However, because they often don’t show symptoms, many people do nothing about them or deal with their STD until something goes seriously wrong. If you suspect you have an STD or have been exposed to one of these infections in some way or another, visit your doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment.

3) What are the different types of STDs?

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are two of seven sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that you can test yourself for at home with an STD home testing kit. While most symptoms of these STDs may not be serious, they can all cause long-term health issues if left undiagnosed. If you have had unprotected sex with someone who has been diagnosed or is displaying signs of any STD, it’s important to get tested immediately. Be prepared by familiarizing yourself with all 7 STDs: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, Trichomoniasis, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV2), Syphilis, and HIV/AIDS.

4) What are STDs Symptoms?

If you find yourself having persistent and abnormal discharge, itching, or discomfort in your vagina or penis, it could be an STD. STDs also include bacterial infections that are spread through sexual contact, such as Syphilis and Chlamydia. If left untreated, these diseases can cause serious health complications in both men and women. So if you notice any unusual symptoms in your nether regions, it’s best to see a physician for a full STD checkup. This will help diagnose any of these common and harmful sexually transmitted diseases before they affect your long-term health.

5) Diagnosing & Treating STDs at Home

Many sexually transmitted diseases can go undetected for months, years, or even a lifetime, yet have serious and lifelong consequences. If you suspect that you might have contracted one of these ailments, it’s important to get tested. Seven sexually transmitted infections are spread by unprotected sex—and all seven can be detected and treated at home using an STD testing kit.

STD Testing Kits: Catching an STD early is essential; identifying symptoms and making a diagnosis from home means you won’t need to wait days or weeks before receiving treatment. In fact, early detection of STDs (such as Chlamydia) results in better outcomes—meaning less risk of infertility down the road, fewer complications during pregnancy (if applicable), etc.

6) Ordering A Self-Testing Kit

Let’s get down to brass tacks: if you are in any way at risk for an STD, then ordering a self-testing kit for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea is your best option. In fact, both of these infections can be tested in your own home using a urine sample. This means that by simply collecting a urine sample (you can use a little cup) and dropping it off at your local pharmacy or lab, you will know with 99% accuracy whether or not you have either of these diseases. Keep in mind that some pharmacies or labs may ask for proof that you actually requested testing kits—so it may help to bring along documentation when picking up your test package—but as long as they ask politely, they should have no issue sending someone to collect samples without additional information.

Hepatitis C, or HCV, is an infectious disease that affects the liver and can cause serious health complications, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 3 million people in the United States are living with Hepatitis C. While there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C, there are medicines that can treat the infection and prevent serious outcomes like liver failure and liver cancer.

Getting Results

If you take an at-home test to detect Hepatitis C, it’s important to understand what your results mean. For example, if you test positive for HCV antibodies but don’t feel sick or have any other symptoms of Hepatitis C, it could mean you have chronic Hepatitis C (an infection of more than six months), which does not require treatment. HCV is a bloodborne virus that spreads through body fluids like blood, semen, and vaginal fluid.

Am I at Risk for Hepatitis C?

Anyone can get Hepatitis C; you don’t have to be involved in drugs or other high-risk behaviors. While it can take months or years for symptoms to show up after a person is infected with HCV, some people never experience any signs of illness. The only way to know for sure if you’re infected is to get tested for Hepatitis C. There are several different methods used to detect Hepatitis C antibodies.

How Is It Treated?

There are several treatments available for Hepatitis C. All of them can be used to eliminate HCV in most people with just one course of treatment. Two drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating Hepatitis C: sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni). Both are available as a single pill taken once a day for 12 weeks.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Treatment for Hepatitis C typically lasts between 24 and 48 weeks. This period depends on how your body responds to treatment, whether or not you respond to treatment, and whether or not you take medication for other illnesses. Before taking any anti-HCV medications, it’s important to talk with a doctor about all of your medical conditions—including any infections you may have been exposed to and any drugs you currently take—to make sure they don’t interact with HCV drugs. Most people need at least one liver function test during their first three months of HCV treatment (this is just one more reason why proper education is so important). You should also see a doctor every few months after that checkup during HCV treatment until your virus levels are undetectable. Talk with one of our doctors if Hepatitis C symptoms return after stopping Hepatitis C therapy.

Life After Treatment

After a Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications, an individual has to wait six months before his or her blood test can be considered conclusive. During those six months after treatment ends, a person may still have active Hepatitis C in their body that would otherwise have been detected by traditional blood tests during that time period. Therefore it’s important for people who suspect they may have Hepatitis C to seek medical advice from their healthcare provider as soon as possible rather than waiting for a conclusive test result after six months.

Home tests for Hepatitis B are important in determining if you have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B home tests can detect the presence of the Hepatitis B virus in your body and tell you whether it’s acute or chronic. By using home tests for Hepatitis B, a HealthyMD doctor can recommend the best course of treatment to manage the virus and prevent further damage from occurring.

What Causes Hepatitis B?

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is found in blood and bodily fluids, such as semen and vaginal secretions. You can get it if you have unprotected sex with someone who has Hepatitis B or by sharing needles with an infected person. Sharing toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items that have come into contact with an infected person’s blood also poses a risk.

What Are the Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis B?

Acute Hepatitis B symptoms can appear a few weeks after you’re infected with HBV. Symptoms of acute Hepatitis B are similar to those caused by other viruses and range from mild (such as low-grade fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting) to severe (jaundice). Acute HBV often clears on its own within several months without causing permanent liver damage. However, if it doesn’t go away or if you have underlying liver disease, chronic Hepatitis B could develop.

How Is Acute Hepatitis B Treated?

To help ease your acute Hepatitis B symptoms, ask your doctor to recommend over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. While these medications will not cure your Hepatitis B, they can help reduce fever and relieve joint pain, achy muscles, and headaches. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids while you are sick, as dehydration can worsen symptoms. If you have nausea or vomiting that interferes with eating or drinking fluids, ask your doctor about prescribed antiemetics.

What Are Treatments for Chronic Hepatitis B?

There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but there are treatments that can help you live with it and may reduce your risk of complications. A doctor will likely prescribe a combination of therapies to relieve or prevent chronic symptoms and protect against possible liver damage: interferon alfa-2b (brand name Pegasys), which requires a shot every week or two; ribavirin (Copegus), which requires taking one pill daily; telbivudine (Tyzeka), an oral tablet taken once daily.

How Can I Prevent Getting This Disease?

Unfortunately, Hepatitis B is not curable, but it can be prevented. The best way to prevent contracting Hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. A vaccine will prevent you from becoming infected with Hepatitis B, so getting vaccinated as soon as possible is a smart move if you’re at risk of exposure to Hepatitis B. If your doctor determines that you are already infected with Hepatitis B, there are treatments available that can help reduce your symptoms and slow down its progression if it’s in its early stages.

How Do People Avoid Infection With the HBV Virus?

To avoid infection, never share personal items that come into contact with blood like toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers. Wash your hands after using public bathrooms and before preparing food or eating. Do not have unprotected sex with someone who has Hepatitis B, always ask for their status. In addition, never share needles even if you’re only getting tested and receiving treatment.

Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Hepatitis B Virus?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends Hepatitis B vaccination for nearly all children beginning at birth. If you’re an adult, your doctor can help you decide if a Hepatitis B vaccine is right for you. Everyone who gets the Hepatitis B virus infection has an increased risk of liver cancer and liver failure. This includes people with chronic Hepatitis C as well as some people with HIV/AIDS. All pregnant women should also be tested and vaccinated against Hepatitis B if they are not already immune to it