Hepatitis B Basics

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Hepatitis B is…

Inflammation of the liver caused by infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

A Healthy Liver

o Major role in metabolism and detoxificationo Fights against infections and controls bleeding

A life-long disease. Once infected there is NO cure.

CHRONIC Hepatitis B is…

Liver failure

Liver cirrhosis (scarring of the

liver)

Liver cancer

And ultimately, premature death

It can cause:

Even if you feel perfectly healthy…o You could still be

chronically infected with HBV

o Most people with chronic HBV infection have no symptoms

o Blood tests for liver enzymes are often normal

Chronic HBV infection:A Silent Killer in API Community

Who does HBV affect?

1/3 of the world’s population has been infected at one point in time. That’s 2 billion people! 350- 400 million people worldwide are chronically infected. That is 1 in 20 people!

Compare this to the 35 million with HIV/AIDS.

Without appropriate monitoring or treatment, 1 in 4 with chronic hepatitis B will die of liver cancer.

This leads to 1-2 deaths every minute…

Hepatitis B is spread through…

Blood Birth Sex

Transmission:

Transmission Myths:

Why should Asians & Pacific Islanders be concerned?

HBV is the greatest health disparity between API and general population.

1 in 10 APIs is chronically infected with HBV, compared to 1 in 1,000 for Caucasian Americans.

1-1.5 million affected in the United States1 in 12 Korean-Americans 1 in 10 Chinese-Americans

1 in 8 Vietnamese-Americans

Asian & Pacific Islander Population

UNITE AGAINST HEPATITIS B:

WHAT YOU CAN DO

o Simple blood test

o Hepatitis B surface antigen test (HBsAg)o Positive (+): has hepatitis Bo Negative (-): does not have hepatitis B

o Hepatitis B surface antibody test (HBsAb)o Positive (+): has immunityo Negative (-): does not have immunity

Get Tested!

“Silent Killer”

Remember, chronic hepatitis B usually DOES NOT have any symptoms until it is too late.

Get tested today!

Total: 6-month, 3 shot series

Get Vaccinated!o If you are:

Hepatitis B surface antigen (-) & hepatitis B surface antibody (-), then you are susceptible and should get the vaccineo The first “anti-cancer” vaccine - CDCo Confers life-long protection “3 for life”

o If you have chronic hepatitis B:o There is NO cure, but hepatitis B can be managed

o Everyone is different; discuss treatment with doctor

o Important regular check-upso ALT for liver damage and AFP for liver cancer, 6

monthso Ultrasound, 12 months

o Can still live a long and healthy life with appropriate monitoring and treatment

Get Treatment!

o If you have chronic hepatitis B, you should also:

o Avoid drinking alcohol

o Get the hepatitis A vaccination

Protect Your Liver

o Spread the word! o Make sure family members are tested and

vaccinatedo Expecting mothers can protect their newborns

by making sure that their doctors administer to their newborns the necessary shots!

Protect Your Family

Mothers with chronic hepatitis B can protect their babies

o Her newborn should be given two shots:o The first shot of the 3-shot hepatitis B vaccine AND o The HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) shot

o These need to be given within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission of hepatitis B.

All newborns in the U.S. should receive the hepatitis B vaccination and HBIG at birth!

People chronically infected with HBV should…

Get screened regularly for liver cancer and liver damage

Test Screens For: Frequency of Test

ALT(alanine

aminotransferase)Liver damage Every 6 months

AFP(alpha-fetoprotein)

Liver cancer Every 6 months

Ultrasound Liver cancer Every year

HBsAg test

ALT

vaccine

ultrasoundAFP

HBsAb test

immunity!Maintain regular

checkups Treatment

o avoid alcohol

o get hep A shot

o interferon

o lamivudine

o adefovir

3 shots in 6 mo.

Every 6 mo. Every 6 mo. Every year

* Note: HBsAg and HBsAb tests can be done at the same time

positive negative

norm

al

abnormal

posi

tive n

egative

• Be informed– 1 in 10 API are infected with hepatitis B– “Silent killer”– Transmitted through BBS

• Most common mode: Mother to child• Protect yourself

– Get tested– Get vaccinated– Get treated

• Protect & educate your family• Join the Jade Ribbon Campaign• Unite against hepatitis B and liver cancer!

Remember…

The Jade Ribbon Campaign• Launched in 2001

• Mission: Increase awareness about hepatitis b and provide ethnic-sensitive health information to API community

• Jade = Longevity and good luck

• Folded in shape of “person” to represent all voices united against hepatitis B and liver cancer.

UNITE AGAINST HEPATITIS BGET INVOLVED