Staying Hep B Free: Prevention, Vaccination + More

What is Hepatitis B?

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with HBV can be both acute (short-term) and chronic (lasting), and may result in severe liver damage and inflammation. The HBV virus is 50-100 times more contagious than HIV. An estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B, and nearly 20,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

The Hepatitis Family

The Hepatitis Family

The hepatitis B virus is a member of a family of hepatitis viruses that cause damage and inflammation to the liver. While there are various types of hepatitis, the three main ones are hepatitis A, B, and C. These viruses are related, there are a few key differences that set them apart from one another.

What are the differences between the hepatitis viruses?

What are the differences between the hepatitis viruses?

First, unlike hepatitis B, hepatitis A only occurs in short term infections, cannot be chronic, and is transmitted mainly through contact with infected feces. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C can—and often does—turn chronic, and is transmitted through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B infection but no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.

How is Hepatitis B Spread?

How is Hepatitis B Spread?

Hepatitis B is spread when blood and/or body fluids infected with the HBV virus enter the body of a non-infected person. Common forms of transmission include sexual contact with an infected person, birth to an infected mother, the use of shared drug paraphernalia, and the use of shared personal items (such as toothbrushes and razors). It is possible for the hepatitis B virus to survive on external surfaces for up to seven days.

Who Gets Hepatitis B?

Who Gets Hepatitis B?

While hepatitis B can occur in any population, at any age, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing an HBV infection. Infants, children under the age of five, and individuals with a weakened immune system (including the elderly) are more likely to get an HBV infection, and more likely to have the infection progress to the chronic stage. Other people at a higher risk of contracting HBV include drug users, people engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners, health care workers who come into frequent contact with infected bodily fluids, and individuals with HBV infected family members.

Global Hepatitis B

Global Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B infection is not limited to the United States. In fact, on a global scale, the United States has one of the lower rates of HBV infection. According to the CDC, the prevalence of hepatitis B infection is especially high in Western Africa, South Asia, and certain Pacific Islands. Individuals travelling to or from these locations are encouraged to get vaccinated for Hepatitis B if they have not already done so.

Vaccinating for Hepatitis B

Vaccinating for Hepatitis B

Fortunately there is an available and effective vaccination against hepatitis B. The World Health Organization cites the hepatitis B vaccine as 95% effective, and recommends administering the vaccine to all infants within 24 hours of birth. HBV vaccinations for infants are crucial, because if an infant contracts HBV there is a 95% chance he or she will develop chronic hepatitis. Recent controversy surrounding vaccinations and a potential link to autism have discouraged parents from vaccinating their children at an early age, raising concerns in the medical community about diseases such as hepatitis B gaining traction in young populations.

The Autism Theory

The Autism Theory

Several studies published in the past decade suggest a link between vaccinations and autism, a mental health disorder that affects more than 500,000 Americans and counting. The hepatitis B vaccine has found itself at the center of this controversy, and several lawsuits have been filed in recent years by parents of children who have allegedly developed autism as a result of the hepatitis B vaccination. However, the majority of the medical community remains firm in their position that vaccination is not the cause of autism. See the next slide for more information on the controversy.

Professionals Weigh In

Professionals Weigh In

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there's not significant scientific evidence to support the claim that vaccines cause autism. The CDC sites several studies, including the most recent comprehensive CDC study on vaccines conducted in 2013, which shows that autism development is not correlated to a child’s vaccination record. Medical professionals stress the importance of all recommended vaccinations, especially those for highly contagious diseases such as hepatitis B. Children who do not receive the hepatitis B vaccination and go on to contract HBV have a 95% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B.

Sex and Hepatitis B

Sex and Hepatitis B

Though Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact, it is still possible to maintain a safe and fulfilling sex life with an infected partner. Partners of the infected individual should be sure that they have received the hepatitis B vaccination, should use a latex or female condom during all sexual contact, and should refrain from sharing personal items such as razors and toothbrushes with their loved one.

Family Planning and Hepatitis B

Family Planning and Hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B Foundation recommends that all pregnant women be tested for hepatitis B. Testing positive for hepatitis B does not put the fetus in immediate danger as the virus cannot be transmitted in the womb. The virus can, however, be transmitted during the childbirth process. To prevent chronic hepatitis B infection in infants born to infected mothers, the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and a dose of Hepatitis B Immune Gobulin (HBIG) should be given immediately after birth. The Hepatitis B foundation also reports that being hepatitis B positive should not stop a mother from breastfeeding if she wishes to do so.

Reversing Hepatitis B: Liver Cell Regeneration

Reversing Hepatitis B: Liver Cell Regeneration

The hepatitis B virus not only causes damage to the liver cells, but also inhibits the regeneration of liver cells through the suppression of certain cellular signaling activities within liver cells. Developing drugs that block the virus’s ability to inhibit liver regeneration, or encourage liver regeneration separate from the virus is a major avenue of research for hepatitis treatments. Treatments involved in recent studies include the use of stem cells to encourage liver regeneration and the use of antivirals to discourage viral inhibition of liver regeneration.

Looking Forward: An End to Chronic Hepatitis B

Looking Forward: An End to Chronic Hepatitis B

Though there is currently no known cure for chronic hepatitis B, continuing research into possible modes of treatment makes for a promising future for chronic hepatitis B sufferers. Dozens of antiviral, immune-enhancing, and interferon medications are in various stages of clinical trials. To find out more information about these developing drugs, visit The Hepatitis B Foundation Drug Watch

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