Facts About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is increasing in Canada. In 1980, 1164 cases were reported. In 1993, there were 2759 cases reported.
Symptoms include tiredness, fever, loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).
Symptoms may last for weeks or months.
Many with Hepatitis B do not know they have it.
Once you have Hepatitis B, there are no drugs to treat it.
Most people recover from the disease. However up to 10% of people who get Hepatitis B become carriers. This means they can continue to spread the disease and can develop permanent liver damage or even liver cancer.
It is not spread by sneezing, coughing, hugging or using the same dishes.
The prevalence of Hepatitis B in the NWT is 5 times the Canadian rate.