Hepatitis B is:
People of Asian Descent: Get Tested
Two-thirds of the 400 million people in the world who have a chronic hepatitis B are from Asia. If you or your parents emigrated to the U.S. from Asia – get tested!
- A "silent disease." It can live in your body for 50+ years before you have symptoms.
- Responsible for 80 percent of all liver cancer in the world.
- Harder to fight off the younger you are; 90 percent of babies will go on to develop a chronic infection compared to 5 to 10 percent of adults.
- 100 times more contagious than AIDS.
- Responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths worldwide each year.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 400 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis B, and 1.25 million of these people are in the U.S.
Fortunately, the virus can be prevented with the
hepatitis B vaccine.
A Dangerous Disease
A chronic hepatitis B infection can go undetected for years – even decades in many cases. The longer a hepatitis B infection is left untreated, the more susceptible you are to developing severe scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.
How do you get it?
The hepatitis B virus is transmitted when an infected person’s blood or body fluids (such as saliva or semen) enter your bloodstream.
Common Misconceptions
Hepatitis B is
not a genetic disease. Also, it cannot be transmitted:
- Through food or water
- By hugging
- Through sneezing or coughing
Ways hepatitis B is spread:
- Sharing IV needles
- Unprotected sex
- Sharing razors or toothbrushes
- From mother to newborn during the delivery process
In the U.S., hepatitis B is spread primarily through sexual transmission and contaminated needles. In other areas of the world, such as Asia, hepatitis B is spread through birth.
Acute vs. Chronic Infection
A hepatitis B infection can be temporary (acute) or long-lasting (chronic).
Frequently asked questions about hepatitis B.
Symptoms
Known as a silent infection, nearly 70 percent of people who first become infected with hepatitis B do not have symptoms.
Severe Symptoms
Symptoms such as yellow skin, swollen stomach and severe vomiting require immediate medical attention.
The other 30 percent of people may experience:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
Diagnosis
A hepatitis viral panel (series of blood tests) is used to diagnose a hepatitis B infection. These blood test also establish if the infection is acute or chronic.
These tests are looking for the presence of HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen), a protein found on the surface of hepatitis B. The presence of HBsAg indicates a current hepatitis B infection.
Liver Damage
If you have a chronic infection, your doctor may check for liver damage with a
liver function test (LFT).
Acute hepatitis B: An acute infection is characterized by the presence of both HBsAg and immunoglobulin M (IgM). IgM is an antibody produced by your immune system.
Chronic hepatitis B: If IgM is
not present, and HBsAg has been in your body for six months or longer, it is likely that the infection is chronic.
Hepatitis D Screening
If a hepatitis B infection is determined, you will then be tested for hepatitis D. Hepatitis D is prevalent in the Middle East, Central Asia, South Pacific islands and the Mediterranean Basin.
Hepatitis D is a serious liver disease found only in people with hepatitis B. A coinfection with hepatitis D can accelerate liver damage and worsen symptoms of hepatitis B.
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