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- acute infection
- An acute infection occurs in the first 6 months of a person’s exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
- AFP
- This test is used as a liver tumor marker for patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients should have their AFP levels monitored routinely since high levels could indicate the possibility of liver cancer.
- algorithm
- An algorithm is a step-by-step protocol for managing health-care issues.
- alpha-fetoprotein
- Increased levels may indicate the development of liver cancer, which is why the simple AFP blood test is included in the regular monitoring of those which chronic HBV.
- ALT
- This is a test that is used to evaluate the function of the liver. ALT is an enzyme that is released into the blood by damaged liver cells. It is used as a marker for liver cell damage.
- antibodies
- The hepatitis B surface antibody (HbsAb) indicates that a person is immune to the virus. A person can develop these antibodies in response to the vaccine or when they recover from a hepatitis B infection.
- antiviral
- A type of drug that interferes with the ability of a virus to replicate in the human body. Lamivudine and adefovir are two clinically-approved antiviral treatments for chronic hepatitis B.
- asymptomatic
- Neither causing nor exhibiting symptoms of disease.
- biopsy
- A liver biopsy involves taking a small piece of tissue from the liver to examine under the microscope. It is used to detect potential liver damage caused by chronic hepatitis B infections.
- carriers
- Carriers are people who have the hepatitis B virus in their blood for longer than 6 months, also known as chronic hepatitis B.
- chronic hepatitis B
- If a person tests positive for the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) for more than 6 months, then they are diagnosed as being chronically infected. They are at increased risk for developing cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
- cirrhosis
- Scarring of the liver that can result in the loss of liver cells and impaired liver function.
- clinical trial
- Clinical trials are used to test the safety and efficacy of a drug before it can be approved by the FDA. Please go to http://www.hepb.org/02-0143.hepb for hepatitis B drugs that are currently in clinical trial.
- DNA level
- The amount of hepatitis B DNA in your blood can give an indication of how active the virus is in your body. This test can be used to help determine whether a person with chronic hepatitis B should start treatment.
- e-antibody positive and e-antigen negative
- This hepatitis e-antigen test result can indicate reduced viral replication (or inactive liver disease), and signals complete e-antigen seroconversion.
- epidemiology
- Epidemiology is the branch of medicine that deals with the study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations.
- HBV DNA
- HBV DNA is a marker of viral replication and level of infectivity. It is used to assess and monitor the treatment of patients with chronic HBV infection.
- hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A is an acute, vaccine-preventable viral infection mainly spread via feces and contaminated food and water.
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG)
- Given as a shot, HBIG contains antibodies to hepatitis B virus; it offers prompt protection that lasts up to three months, and is often used if an unvaccinated individual is exposed to hepatitis B.
- hepatitis B vaccination
- There is a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B that can protect you for a lifetime from getting infected with the hepatitis B virus. For more information, go to www.hepb.org/hepb/vaccine_information.htm.
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- Liver cancer.
- high-risk
- Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and infectious bodily fluids. High-risk avenues of infection include direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, and childbirth (when the virus can be transmitted from a mother to her baby). For a more complete list of high-risk groups and activities, please go to www.hepb.org/professionals/high-risk_groups.htm.
- imaging studies
- Ultrasound and CT Scan are used as part of the screening process for liver cancer.
- immune modulator
- This is a type of drug that alters the immune system. Interferon is the FDA-approved immune modulator for treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
- incidence
- The number of new cases of a condition, symptom, death, or injury that arise during a specific period of time (e.g. a year).
- liver biopsies
- A small piece of tissue is removed from the liver and examined under a microscope to look for the presence of inflammation or liver damage.
- liver specialist
- Liver specialists generally practice as either "hepatologists" or "gastroenterologists". To find a liver specialist near you, please visit the HBF Liver Specialist Directory at www.hepb.org/resources/liver_specialist_directory.htm.
- perinatal infection
- The hepatitis B virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her child during the childbirth process.
- prevalence
- The percentage of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time.
- prevalence rates
- Prevalence rates are total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a specific time.
- referral physician
- Liver specialists generally practice as hepatologists or gastroenterologists.
- serial blood work
- The analysis of several blood tests over time may help determine hepatitis B status.
- seroconvert
- The hepatitis B e-Antigen test is frequently used to monitor the effectiveness of current hepatitis B therapies. The goal is for a patient to seroconvert from a positive to negative e-antigen.
- subcutaneous
- Interferons are given by an injection.