Hepatitis B Facts

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is commonly known as HBV.

The hepatitis B virus attacks the liver. A lifelong infection can result, leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and/or liver failure. It can be life threatening.

Hepatitis B can be extremely mild, exhibiting no symptoms. It can also be severe, resulting in fulminant hepatitis, or acute liver failure. Fulminant hepatitis is rare, but it is potentially fatal.

What causes hepatitis B? Hepatitis B infections usually result from transmission of the hepatitis B virus from blood or blood-derived fluids. Those who have unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis B are at risk, as are injection-drug users who share needles.

Other hepatitis B facts 

• A vaccine designed to prevent hepatitis B is available. It protects all age groups.
• In the United States and other developed countries, children and adolescents are routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Historically, the following groups have shown the most likelihood of becoming infected with the hepatitis B virus
• People between age 20 and age 49.
• People who live in the same household as someone who has hepatitis B.

There are a number of other facts about hepatitis b you may find interesting.

Chronic hepatitis B prevalence is relatively low in Northern and Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Southern South America. Hepatitis B rates in these areas are believed to be below 2 percent.

About 60,000 people are infected with the hepatitis B virus annually in the United States. The numbers have been steadily declining since the early 1980's.

Estimated 1.25 million Americans are currently believed to be chronically infected with hepatitis B. 20-30 percent of those who are infected probably acquired hepatitis B during childhood.

Hepatitis B prevalence is somewhat higher, between 2 and 7 percent, South Central and Southwest Asia, Israel, Japan, Eastern and Southern Europe, Russia, Honduras, and Guatemala and in the vicinity of the Amazon River basin, .

Hepatitis B rates are considered to be high (above 8 percent) in all of Africa, Southeast Asia, including China, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines, South and Western Pacific islands, the Middle East, (but not including Israel), and certain parts of the Caribbean.

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