What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a serious infection that can cause liver disease and cancer. Some people have hepatitis B and feel healthy. It is important to see a doctor for a check-up and ask if you need treatment.
What do I do now?
If you have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, but are not receiving routine monitoring of your infection, we recommend the following:
- Set up an appointment with your primary care doctor or a liver doctor (hepatologist).
- Learn more about hepatitis B.
- Protect your loved ones from hepatitis B.
Set up an appointment
Hepatitis B should be monitored by a doctor. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or with a liver doctor (hepatologist).
Use this Liver Clinic Locator below to find a liver doctor (hepatologist) in Massachusetts.
If you were contacted by DPH and directed to this page, please download this letter that you can provide to your doctor.
If you were not contacted by DPH but have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and are not receiving care, please download this letter that you can provide to your doctor.
Learn more about hepatitis B
This Hepatitis B Information Guide (PDF) | (DOCX), adapted with permission from the Hawaii State Department of Health, is a comprehensive guide in English to understanding your diagnosis, working with a healthcare provider to manage your infection, and protecting your loved ones. The Hepatitis B Foundation has other resources including fact sheets in a variety of languages.
Protect loved ones
Hepatitis B is spread by:
- Injection drug use
- Pregnancy and birth
- Unprotected sex
- Blood and bodily fluids
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and prevents infection.
Anyone you live with, as well as any sex partners or drug injecting partners, should get the hepatitis B vaccine and get tested.