VietBiet English: Hepatitis B - What You Need to Know

All Kids Need Hepatitis B Shots!

What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus. This virus can enter the bloodstream, attack the liver, and cause severe illness. In some cases, the virus can remain in the body for a lifetime and cause ongoing liver damage.

How do children and teens get Hepatitis B?
Lots of ways. Hepatitis B virus can be spread by:
- Coming in contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids
- Sharing  toothbrushes, razors, washcloths, or needles of an infected person
- Human bites
- Sex with an infected person
- Ear piercing, body piercing, or tattooing with unsterile equipment.

Why do my children need Hepatitis B shots?
All the major medical organizations in the United States agree that all children 0-18 years of age need a series of Hepatitis B shots in order to be protected from this disease. Newborn babies should receive their first shot of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth before leaving the hospital. If your children or teens were not vaccinated against Hepatitis B when they were younger, vaccinate them now.

Is child at increased risk for infection with Hepatitis B?
Anyone can get infected with this virus. However, children who were born, or whose parents were born, outside the United States where Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious problem may be at increased risk for getting infected.
Some of the places where Hepatitis B is a serious problem include Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and some parts of South America. Check with your doctor or local health department if you have questions about this.

Should I let my children be vaccinated at school?
Many children are now being offered vaccinations like Hepatitis B at school. If your child is being offered the vaccine at school, you can save yourself and your child some trips to the doctor's office! 

How safe is this vaccine?
Hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines available. It has been used in the United States since 1982 and has been shown to be safe and effective.

What if I can't afford to get my children vaccinated?
Vaccinations are usually free for children when families cannot afford them. Call the CDC-INFO. Contact Center (800) 232-4636 or your local or state health department to find out where you can go for free or low-cost vaccinations Your children's health depends on it! 

Adults need shots, too! Call your clinic or health department to find out what shots your need or when your next shots are due. Your children are counting on you to stay healthy!
 
- William Howoong Chun

 
Source: Immunization Action Coalition

Why Asians and Pacific Islanders?

Hepatitis B is a major health disparity for Asian Americans. The CDC estimates that at least half of individuals infected with hepatitis B in the U.S. are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent (Read the report here). In December 2007, the WHO released the Western Paciic Regional Plan for Hepatitis B Control which outlines the burden of hepatitis B in Asian countries, as well as goals and strategies to eliminate the disparity.

B Free CEED partner, the Asian American Hepatitis B Program, found that roughly 15% of Asians screened in New York City were infected with hepatitis B (Read the MMWR article here).  This is a huge disparity considering that less than 1% of the general U.S. population has hepatitis B.  AAHBP also found that all of those identified as infected were foreign-born and from countries where hepatitis B is endemic with rates as high as 16%.

However, the prevalence and infection rates for individual Asian ethnic groups across the U.S. can vary and limited information exists.  The VietBiet Hepatitis B Advocacy Network is currently working on compiling and disseminating past and current data on HBV infection for all Asian ethnic groups.

Source: NYU Hepatitis B FREE CEED

What can you do about chronic Hepatitis B?

This is VietBiet again. This is a follow-up post from what Chronic Hepatitis B is about. If your Hepatitis B is indeed chronic, you may be able to improve your liver's condition by visiting your doctor regularly, leading a healthy lifestyle, and getting treatment, if needed. That aside, what can you do to suppress the virus as much as possible and protect others from it?

Q. How can I monitor my chronic hepatitis B?
A. The hepatitis B virus grows by multiplying and spreading in your liver.


Your doctor may take a simple blood test to check the amount of hepatitis B virus in your blood. This result, which is called your viral load, may help your doctor decide how to manage your condition. It's important to remember that your viral load can change over time. Visit your doctor regularly to closely monitor your condition, your viral load, and the health of your liver.
Your doctor may also perform other tests including:
    - Liver function tests (such as ALT, AST) to show whether you have liver inflammation.
    - An HBeAg marker test to show whether the virus is multiplying.
    - An ultrasound which uses sound waves to obtain a picture of your liver
    - A liver biopsy to examine a sample of your liver tissue to determine how much liver damage you may have

Q. What can I do to help manage chronic hepatitis B?
A. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, visiting your doctor regularly to monitor your condition, and getting treatment, if needed, are important to managing your chronic hepatitis B. Here are some steps you can take to protect your health and the health of your liver:
    - Ask your doctor about hepatitis A vaccination
    - Eat a healthy diet
    - Get regular exercise
    - Do not smoke
    - Do not drink alcohol
    - Do not use illegal drugs
    - Tell your doctor about medicines you are taking, including herbal medicines and vitamins

Q. How is hepatitis B spread?
A. The hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids:
    - From an infected mother to her baby at birth
    - Through person-to-person contact, such as unprotected sex
    - Through exposure to contaminated items, such as needles
Hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact—like hugging or eating a meal prepared by someone who has hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B virus is highly infectious. In fact, it is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That's why it is so important to be careful in preventing the spread of hepatitis B.

Q. What can I do to protect the people I love?
A. If you have chronic hepatitis B, you can help protect your family and friends by taking some simple steps to prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis B:
    - Encourage your family members—and anyone else who lives with you—to see their doctor to get tested. If they have not been infected, they should ask their doctor about hepatitis B vaccination
    - Cover any cuts and open sores
    - Clean up spilled blood immediately with bleach and water
    - Practice safe sex
    - Carefully dispose of any items that contain blood or other body fluids
    - Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching blood or bodily fluids
    - Do not share personal items—such as toothbrushes and razors—that could have come into contact with your blood or body fluids
    - Do not donate blood

Q. How do I talk with my doctor about chronic hepatitis B?
A. Talking to your doctor about chronic hepatitis B may seem overwhelming. But don't worry—your doctor wants to help you understand your condition and how it affects you.
If you haven't talked to your doctor about chronic hepatitis B, make an appointment today to start this important discussion. And even if your doctor has told you that you're fine in the past, don't be afraid to ask questions at every visit.
Remember—just because you may feel healthy now, this does not mean the virus has gone away. Your condition can change over time—even if you have no symptoms.

Q. Can chronic hepatitis B be treated?
A. Yes. There is currently no cure for chronic hepatitis B. But, there are treatments that may help to reduce your viral load, which may help your liver's condition improve. Only your doctor can decide if you need treatment. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that may be right for you.
Here are some questions to get the conversation started:
- "Do I need treatment for my chronic hepatitis B?"
- "How might treatment help me?"
- "If I do not need treatment now, how often should I be tested?"
For more questions to ask your doctor—and other valuable information - follow us on twitter or facebook now!

- William Howoong Chun

Source: FaceCHB

Chronic Hepatitis B

Today, millions of people around the world are at risk of developing serious chronic hepatitis B-related diseases. And serious liver damage can occur even before symptoms appear. By understanding chronic hepatitis B, you can become a better partner in helping your doctor manage your health.
 
Q. How do I know if I have chronic hepatitis B?
A. Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a simple blood test. If your blood tests are positive for at least 6 months, then your infection is considered chronic.
 
Q. What are the possible consequences of chronic hepatitis B?
A. Over time, chronic hepatitis B can damage your liver—a vital organ that processes nutrients from food and removes toxins from your body.
When you have chronic hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus multiplies inside your liver and attacks your healthy liver cells. This can lead to serious liver damage such as:

• Fibrosis (scarring of the liver)
• Cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver)
• Liver cancer
  

 
This damage can happen even before symptoms appear. However, not all patients progress to serious liver damage. About 15% to 40% of people with chronic hepatitis B develop serious liver disease including cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer.
 
Q. What if I don't have any symptoms? Do I still need to see my doctor?
A. Yes! You may feel healthy if you have chronic hepatitis B. But even if you feel healthy now, the virus may go on damaging your liver for years—or even decades—without symptoms. By visiting your doctor regularly, your condition can be monitored to find out how the virus has affected your liver.
 
Q. Do I need to worry about my condition becoming worse even if I lead a healthy lifestyle?
A. Yes. Chronic hepatitis B is a serious infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Leading a healthy lifestyle is important. But you also need to work closely with your doctor to keep track of your condition. Your doctor may recommend other ways to manage your condition.
 
Q. What can I do to help manage my chronic hepatitis B?
A. The most important thing you can do to help manage your chronic hepatitis B is to become an active, informed partner in your care. By visiting your doctor regularly, you can help to closely monitor and manage your condition.
 
- William Howoong Chun
 
Source: FaceCHB

A Call to Action: Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Bill H.R. 3974 Introduced in Congress

A bipartisan bill - Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act 2009 (H.R. 3974) - was introduced on Oct. 29 in Congress to address the needs of more than 5 million Americans suffering from chronic viral hepatitis. The bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Mike Honda (D-CA) and Charles Dent (R-PA) with original cosponsors Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA), David Wu (D-OR), Todd Platts (R-PA), Donna M. Christiansen (D-VI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), George Butterfield (D-NC), and Judy Chu (D-CA). This is the first legislation that addresses both HBV and HCV, which represents a huge advocacy success! The Hepatitis B Foundation is proud to have been an active member on the NVHR committee that helped draft this historic legislation that will expand education for patients and health care providers, increase access to hepatitis testing and liver cancer screening, improve the capacity of health departments, and support viral hepatitis prevention and education programs across the U.S. Read the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Bill H.R.3974 and Press Release now!

 

A Call to Action! We Need Your Help Now!

We need your help to pass the historic "Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2009." Please contact your U.S. Representative to support the H.R. 3974 bill!

Make a phone call to 1-202-224-3121 OR Send an email from http://writerep.house.gov

Use this Sample Message when you call or send an email:

"Hello, my name is _____, I live in (city, state), and I care about viral hepatitis that affects more than 5 million Americans. Chronic hepatitis is a serious health problem in the U.S., in my District, and is a very important issue to me.I urge Representative ________ to show leadership in the fight against hepatitis and liver cancer by cosponsoring Representative Honda's and Dent's Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control Act, H.R.3974. Thank you."

Use your social and professional networks to get more people like you to call their representatives! Forward this Call to Action widely!

- William Howoong Chun

Source: Hepatitis B Foundation

Hepatitis B Virus and You

Did you know that Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus? Did you know that HBV is the most common serious liver infection in the world?

HBV is a virus that attacks the liver, which is responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis and digestive enzyme production. It is transmitted through infected blood and bodily fluids. Such transmission can occur while giving a birth to a new born baby from an infected woman, or having unprotected sex and sharing needles with an infected person. Can you believe that 38 people become infected every minute, even while you are reading this post?

This dangerous virus can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious chronic illness. Unfortunately, there is no cure for 400 million of those who have already developed chronic infections at the moment. They have to suffer from liver inflammation, vomiting and the fear of death for the rest of their lives.

However, the good news is that HBV can be prevented! With a safe and effective vaccine, you can protect yourself from this virus. Make sure you enjoy the current advances in drug development and treatment to its fullest!

- William Howoong Chun

Source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajc1/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainchildvn/ / CC BY 2.0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainchildvn/ / CC BY 2.0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainchildvn/ / CC BY 2.0

Hepatitis B (HBV) Information Flyer

(Click to enlarge)

Source: thinkb.org