Hep B Blog

Category Archives: HBV

About Hepatitis B, HBV, Liver, Liver Cancer

Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

Tomorrow, February 4th, marks World Cancer Day! This day harnesses the international community to “raise awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, we’re working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all – no matter who you are or where you live.”

Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which normal cells change and grow uncontrollably, that can form a lump called a tumor or mass. A tumor can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The name of the cancer depends on the part of the body where the cancer first started. The term “primary liver cancer” refers to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, which starts in liver cells called “hepatocytes.”

In the United States, primary liver cancer has become the fastest growing cancer in terms of incidence (new cases), in both men and women. From 2012-2016, the incidence of liver cancer increased by 2.5%, the largest increase of any cancer during the time period. In 2018, an estimated 42,220 new cases of liver cancer were diagnosed and an estimated 30,200 people died.

Liver cancer mortality also continues to increase, especially among Caucasian, Alaskan Native, American Indian and Hispanic males. Liver cancer disproportionately impacts certain communities more than others: in the U.S., it is now the 5th most common cause of cancer death for men overall, but the 2nd most common cause of cancer death among Asian American and Pacific Islander men, and the 4th most common cause of cancer death among Alaskan Native, American Indian and Hispanic males. The five-year survival rate is about 18%.

Worldwide, the most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus. Chronic viral hepatitis infections (hepatitis B and hepatitis C) cause at least 80% of all liver cancers. In the United States, the leading cause is chronic hepatitis C virus infections because of the greater number of Americans infected with this virus. Chronic infections with hepatitis B or C are responsible for making liver cancer the most common cancer in many parts of the world. Take a look at other factors which might put you at a higher risk for developing liver cancer.

Prevention

The hepatitis B vaccine was named the first “anti-cancer” vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because it prevents chronic hepatitis B infections, thereby preventing liver cancer caused by the hepatitis B virus. In the United States, the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and children, and adults at high risk for infection. In many countries, including the United States, vaccinating newborns with the hepatitis B vaccine at birth has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of new cases of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B. For more information about the vaccine, visit here.

For more information about liver cancer please visit our Liver Cancer Connect page.

 References

https://www.worldcancerday.org/about-us

https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/liver/

 

 

 

About Hepatitis B, HBV, Hepatitis B Advocacy

Correctional Facilities and Hepatitis B

 

People experiencing incarceration in correctional facilities face a disproportionate burden of hepatitis B. This is due to potential increased exposure to high-risk individuals, including people who inject drugs or exchange sex for money or drugs.1 This blog will discuss the prevalence of hepatitis B in individuals experiencing incarceration in the United States and globally, risk factors for infection, and recommendations for policymakers, public health professionals, and correctional facilities.

Prevalence in The United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 850,000 to 2.2 million individuals are living with hepatitis B in the United States.2 Of those individuals, an estimated 0.9% to 11.4% for HBsAg (active, infectious HBV) and 6.5% to 42.6% for HBcAb (ever infected) of people experiencing incarceration are living with hepatitis B.2

Prevalence Internationally

Researchers have conducted various studies in different countries to determine hepatitis B prevalence. For example, a study in Iran found a prevalence of HBV DNA in incarcerated individuals at 2.1%.1  Another study in Mexico City tested over 15,500 men experiencing incarceration and almost 1,800 women experiencing incarceration and found the rate of HBcAb among men was 2.8% and among women, 3.0%. The rate of HBsAg was 0.1% among men and 0.3% among women.1

Risk Factors

Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids.1  Routes of transmission among incarcerated individuals include sharing needles and cookers or other injection drug paraphernalia, sharing tattoo paraphernalia, sharing razors, and having unprotected sex with someone living with hepatitis B.3  Because of policies in the United States criminalizing injection drug use and sex work, correctional facilities are more likely to have higher concentrations of individuals engaging in these risky behaviors. Additionally, sterile equipment is sometimes inaccessible and sharing drug injection equipment is common in correctional facilities which contributes to an increased risk of individuals contracting hepatitis B while experiencing incarceration.3

Recommendations

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends hepatitis B screening for all high-risk adult individuals which include people experiencing incarceration. However, The Hepatitis B Foundation urges a recommendation for universal screening because it would allow for individuals experiencing incarceration to lower their risk of contracting hepatitis B in correctional settings.

Opt-out vaccine programming is another strategy that can help to prevent the spread of hepatitis B in correctional facilities. However, it is also important for individuals at correctional facilities to be screened before they are vaccinated, to identify those who are already infected. Additionally, when public health professionals implement opt-out hepatitis B vaccination and/or screening programs in correctional facilities, they must ensure clear communication so that program recipients understand what they are being screened/vaccinated for, and that testing/vaccination is voluntary.4 Being diagnosed with a chronic infectious disease can be daunting, and some would rather not know their status, which is important to recognize and respect. Public health professionals also need to recognize the challenges associated with designing vaccination programs in correctional facilities. It is important to design a sustainable program which emphasizes continuous medical care for individuals who test positive for hepatitis B throughout incarceration, even with challenging situations like transfers, and reintegration back into their communities.1

Correctional facilities should consider providing treatment options for people experiencing addiction as well as utilizing a harm reduction approach to provide sterile injection and tattoo equipment to reduce the risk of hepatitis B transmission.1

References

  1. Smith JM, Uvin AZ, Macmadu A, Rich JD. Epidemiology and Treatment of Hepatitis B in Prisoners. Curr Hepatol Rep. 2017;16(3):178-183. doi:10.1007/s11901-017-0364-8
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm
  3. Gupta S, Altice FL. Hepatitis B virus infection in US correctional facilities: a review of diagnosis, management, and public health implications. J Urban Health. 2009;86(2):263-279. doi:10.1007/s11524-008-9338-z
  4. Rosen DL, Golin CE, Grodensky CA, et al. Opt-out HIV testing in prison: informed and voluntary?. AIDS Care. 2015;27(5):545-554. doi:10.1080/09540121.2014.989486

 

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

300 Million Reasons, advocacy, HBV, Hepatitis B Advocacy, Hepatitis B Awareness, News

Hepatitis B Foundation Introduces 300 Million Reasons Movement

By Beatrice Zovich

The Hepatitis B Foundation is excited to launch a new movement called 300 Million Reasons, named for the almost 300 million people worldwide who are living with hepatitis B. The goal of this movement is to improve awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer worldwide, to promote engagement of key stakeholders, and to empower people impacted by hepatitis B across the globe to become vocal advocates. We want to amplify the voices and stories of the millions of people directly affected by this disease, in order to make sure that hepatitis B is granted the funding, attention, and serious consideration that it deserves. The 300 Million Reasons movement will be officially launched in July of 2021, in time for World Hepatitis Day, but we wanted to begin sharing resources and information now. 

This movement is divided into four branches: B Informed, B Connected, B the Voice, and B the Change. Each of these arms is described below. 

B Informed

Hepatitis B can be prevented, treated, and managed. The B Informed branch of the 300 Million Reasons movement involves raising awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer, providing accurate information, dispelling myths and misconceptions, decreasing stigma and discrimination, and providing simple hepatitis B educational tools, which will focus on transmission, prevention, liver cancer screening, and living with chronic hepatitis B. We have created a free and downloadable social media toolkit that can help spread the word about statistics, vaccines, testing, monitoring and care, symptoms, blood tests, acute vs. chronic hepatitis B and more. Check it out today! 

B Connected

You are not alone! The B Connected arm of 300 Million Reasons works to increase access to clinical trials, expand global connections to support people living with hepatitis B and their loved ones around the world, establish international peer mentoring programs, and create a social network and further community engagement opportunities for people impacted by hepatitis B. This branch of the movement will be modeled after current coalition work that has been done with Hep B United and the Coalition Against Hepatitis in People of African Origin. 

B the Voice

Your voice matters! The B the Voice component of the 300 Million Reasons movement is focused primarily on international storytelling and elevating the voices of those living with and affected by hepatitis B around the world. Stories of discrimination, stigma, screening, diagnosis, treatment, supporting community and family members, personal and larger-scale successes, setbacks and victories – all are important to share and learn about in order to raise awareness, inspire change, and eventually find a cure. Do you have a story to share? We would love to read it! Share your story today using this link. 

B the Change

Stand up, speak out! B the Change aims to increase activism among those living with hepatitis B and their loved ones and to use this as a tool to advance the cause of increasing knowledge about and support for hepatitis B among legislators and policy-makers. It will include national and international community ambassadors, strong relationships with the World Hepatitis Alliance and other key partners, outreach to people living with hepatitis B who have not had prior involvement in this effort, and advocacy training and opportunities. With knowledge can come action – let’s build a strong communication network to spread the word and B the Change to create a world that is Hep B-free! Become a hep B advocate today by joining our Action Center. 

The 300 Million Reasons movement will continue to grow and expand over the coming months and years, as more materials and resources are developed and disseminated. We hope you will continue to stay tuned on our website for updates and that you will join us in taking steps toward shining a light upon, and eventually eliminating, hepatitis B! Join the movement today!

HBV

Pharmacies and Hepatitis B

Yesterday was National Pharmacy Day! Every year, January 12th honors pharmacists and their role in healthcare. While we do not typically think of pharmacists as traditional healthcare practitioners, they play a highly important role in patients’ lives.

Pharmacies and Hepatitis B

Pharmacies have a direct impact on our health. Pharmacists interact with patients and medical professionals on a daily basis to provide important drug management services and play an important role in vaccination uptake. Community pharmacies are ubiquitous in urban and suburban areas which increases individuals’ access to vaccination services. Unlike traditional primary care settings, community pharmacies do not require appointments for vaccinations which increases someone’s likelihood of receiving a vaccine.1 Not only are they more accessible, but also cost-effective. One study found that of the 6 million vaccines administered at one national pharmacy chain, one third or around 1.98 million individuals received their vaccines outside of typical work hours, like the weekend, holidays, and evenings.1 This convenience allows for more prevention which reduces long-term future costs of treatment and management.

According to the American Pharmacist Association, the hepatitis B vaccine is available in less than 50% of community pharmacies.2 However, we can work to increase this number! Pharmacies can incorporate best practices and successful models to provide and administer multi-dose vaccines. An example strategy includes text message or email reminders for follow-up doses.2 Utilizing community pharmacies to increase hepatitis B vaccine uptake is essential to making progress toward hepatitis B elimination. Pharmacists have access to important patient information which allows them to identify patients for vaccine-preventable diseases like hepatitis B. Expanding hepatitis B care into non-traditional settings like pharmacies will allow for greater vaccination coverage. This week, let’s appreciate our pharmacies and pharmacists for what they do for our communities and encourage them to expand their immunization services.

References

  1. https://www.ajmc.com/view/essential-role-community-pharmacies-expanding-access-vaccines
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2020/20_0062.htm

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

 

HBV, Living with Hepatitis B

New Year’s Resolutions and Hepatitis B

 

2020 was a difficult year for most of us. The coronavirus pandemic challenged us professionally, personally and could have led to financial hardship or strained relationships. 2021 ushers in a new year of resilience and resolutions. 

If you are living with chronic hepatitis B, you may feel as though you are not in control of your health, but that’s not true! Small changes to your daily life can go a long way towards improving your liver health and may even prevent liver damage from occurring. Here are four New Year’s resolutions to help you start 2021 off right!

Kick Your Old Habits to the Curb: Did you know that not only does smoking hurt your lungs, it also negatively impacts your liver? Old habits can be hard to break, but staying healthy is important. Smoking cessation can be hard! Instead of going cold turkey, maybe reduce your cigarette intake from smoking every day to every other day and work your way up to complete cessation. Did you know that insurance plans in the United States must cover smoking cessation programs through preventive care under the Affordable Care Act? This means that copayments and coinsurance can’t be applied to these programs. Taking the first step is better for your liver and your wallet!

Cook More: As you decrease your smoking intake, increase your cooking habits! Cooking can be a lot of work, but it can also be fun. Regularly eating fast-food and highly processed meals are bad for your liver and can leave you feeling lethargic, so try switching things up. Consider signing up for a virtual cooking class with your friends or family to learn some new tricks in the kitchen. You don’t have to make every meal from scratch; start by making one or two fresh meals a week and increase them as you feel more confident. Don’t know where to start? Try one of these recipes – desserts included!  There is no standard diet for chronic hepatitis B patients, but the American Cancer Society’s low fat, low cholesterol, and high fiber meal ideas are a good, general diet to follow.

Take Some Time For Yourself: Stress is bad for every part of your body – including the liver – so it is important to take some time for yourself. Set a few hours aside each week to do an activity that you enjoy. You can take up journaling, practice mindfulness, or go on a quick walk to help relieve stress – whatever relaxing activity feels right for you. If you have the resources, you may want to consider planning a vacation or taking a small weekend trip. Even if you can’t get away, set a goal to spend more time outdoors. Green spaces, such as an urban park or a forest, have been known to lower stress levels and can help manage weight, which is an important part of maintaining liver health.

Get Active: Exercising more might be one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but it is also one of the most important ones! If you’re tired of going to the gym or bored with your old routine, try your hand at an exercise you hadn’t considered before. Yoga, pilates, running, and kickboxing are just a few examples of fun workouts that you can add to your exercise catalog and can be done outside of a typical gym setting. If you’re looking for affordable exercise options, be sure to check out some of the free exercise videos you can find on YouTube. You can also try hiking at your local park or joining a local community center!

New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to keep, especially if you are trying to do them all at once. The important part is to begin! If you are having trouble meeting your goals, pick one to start with and add another goal once it becomes a part of your routine.

 

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

HBV, Living with Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B in Asian Populations

In the United States, an estimated 2.2 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B infection and most do not know they have it. Without diagnosis and treatment, 1 in 4 persons will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B is associated with significant health disparities, disproportionately impacting Asian American, Pacific Islander, and African immigrant communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up 50% of the hepatitis B infection burden in the United States and have liver cancer rates that are up to 13 times higher than Caucasian populations despite making up 6% of the United States’ population.

Why are People of Asian Descent Disproportionately Affected?

 First-generation Asians from China, Korea, Vietnam, and those from the Pacific Islands are particularly highly impacted by hepatitis B due to the history of the virus (the virus has been circulating in certain areas of the world for thousands of years), as well as historically low infant immunization rates against the disease in many countries. Most Asians and Pacific Islanders who have hepatitis B were infected during childbirth from their mothers who were infected – that is why it is common to see multiple members of the same family affected by hepatitis B.

The great news is that the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has been increasing in uptake in Asian countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in the South East Asian Region that the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose and third dose coverage increased from 34% to 54% and from 89% to 91%, respectively. In 2019, nine of 11 countries in the region achieved ≥90% of the hepatitis B vaccine third dose coverage nationally, and three of eight countries that provide the hepatitis B birth-dose achieved ≥90% coverage.1 This great news comes with the World Health Organization announcing cases of hepatitis B in children under age five had dropped below 1% in 2019 which can be attributed to the increased uptake in vaccinations.2

Are You at Risk for Hepatitis B?

If you are interested in knowing if you are at risk for hepatitis B, this half-page questionnaire is a quick and easy assessment to determine if you should be tested for hepatitis B. The assessment is available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Burmese, Hmong, Khmer, and Lao. Download the risk assessment here.

For more information about the Know Hepatitis B Campaign, visit the campaign website.

References

  1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  2. The World Health Organization

 

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

advocacy, HBV, Hepatitis B Advocacy, Hepatitis B Awareness, Hepatitis B Prevention, Hepatitis B Research, Research, United States

Eighth Annual Hep B United Summit a Success!

Hep B United is very pleased to report that the eighth annual (and first virtual) Hep B United Summit was a great success! With over 200 attendees from around the US, the summit brought together partners – both new and familiar – to discuss and collaborate on the successes and challenges of the past year, and strategies to move forward toward the elimination of hepatitis B.  

The theme of this year’s summit was “Standing Up for Hepatitis B: Creative Collaborations to Amplify Awareness, Access, and Equity.” The event included many exciting sessions on topics such as progress toward a hepatitis B cure; strategies for providing hepatitis B services in the time of COVID-19; federal updates on hepatitis B; methods for incorporating hepatitis B into viral hepatitis elimination planning efforts at state and local levels; the path to universal adult hepatitis B vaccination; expansion of hepatitis B outreach in non-traditional settings, such as pharmacies, harm reduction centers, and correctional facilities; the pandemic of structural racism and how to bridge gaps in healthcare; and elevating the patient voice to move elimination efforts forward. The event included a poster session with over 20 submissions from presenters around the country, ranging from medical students to organizational partners, and covering a diverse and comprehensive array of topics related to hepatitis B. 

The virtual platform offered a dynamic and engaging experience, with opportunities for networking, game participation, social media involvement, and learning. The Summit concluded with an award ceremony in which nine Hepatitis B Champions and a Federal Champion were honored for their efforts and dedication to hepatitis B advocacy, awareness, prevention, and elimination efforts over the past year. 

 As in previous years, the Summit provided an opportunity for colleagues to gather and to exchange innovative and creative ideas that will help to advance hepatitis B elimination and elevate hepatitis B as an issue deserving of widespread national attention. Recordings of the Summit are available on Hep B United’s YouTube channel – check them out today!

About Hepatitis B, HBV, Living with Hepatitis B

Adoption and Hepatitis B

 

November is National Adoption Month! National Adoption Month’s ultimate goal is to increase national awareness of the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. foster care system. Most importantly, this month acknowledges the birth families who make the difficult decision to give up their children for adoption, the foster families who care for children from various backgrounds, and the adoptive families who love and care for their adoptive children.

Adoption and Hepatitis B

 Many people wish to adopt children from countries where hepatitis B infections are common: Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and some parts of Africa. Children from these regions are often infected with the virus from their birth mothers who have hepatitis B and unknowingly pass the disease on to their children during delivery. In addition, many of these countries re-use needles for medications or blood tests, a practice that places children at risk if they have not already been infected at birth. It is advised that you do not request your child to be tested for hepatitis B in their birth country, since the blood test itself could be a source of infection.

Domestic adoptions also present some risk to potential adoptees. Children born to women in high-risk groups could have been infected with hepatitis B at birth. In addition, children from group homes are at increased risk for hepatitis B infection.

Many children who have hepatitis B do not have symptoms of the viral infection. This makes it difficult for adoptive parents to know their child is sick without a blood test! This simple 3-part blood panel will inform you if your child has an active infection, had a previous infection and recovered, has “immunity”, or needs a vaccine. The good news is that your adoption agency should be able to tell you if a child has been tested for hepatitis B. If you have questions or concerns about the test results please contact us to speak with our knowledgeable staff. We can also refer you to a parent who has adopted a child with hepatitis B.

Finding out that the child you wish to adopt has chronic hepatitis B can be upsetting, but should not be cause for alarm or stopping an adoption. We hope that a hepatitis B diagnosis will not change your decision to adopt a child. You can be reassured that most children with hepatitis B will enjoy a long and healthy life. Hepatitis B does not usually affect a child’s normal growth and development, and there are generally no physical disabilities or restrictions associated with this diagnosis.

Reference

https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/children-with-hepatitis-b/adoption/

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

HBV, Living with Hepatitis B, Relationships

Hepatitis B and Stigma

 

Hepatitis B and Stigma

World Kindness Day is just around the corner on November 13th. On World Kindness Day, we celebrate kindness and spread it around the world. Let’s celebrate this day by treating people living with hepatitis B with kindness, compassion, and respect.

Unfortunately, hepatitis B is often highly stigmatized – and the people living with it can feel ostracized. Why is there so much stigma surrounding hepatitis B? A study found that among Asians, the majority thought hepatitis B was a genetic disease which is why the family might feel stigmatized if a family member is living with it.1 Due to cultural values, interdependence, collectivism, and family centeredness, persons of Asian descent might think that having hepatitis B is a reflection on the family.1 This attitude could lead to people not wanting to get tested for hepatitis B because they worry about bringing stigma to the family.1 Another study found that among African communities, individuals were confused about the differences between hepatitis B, HIV, malaria, and other infectious diseases.2 This misattribution and confusion could lead to a person living with hepatitis B being perceived as an outsider to society and can cause stigma or discrimination.2

The studies demonstrate that the lack of education and information surrounding hepatitis B contributes to the stigma that individuals living with hepatitis B face. There is a lot of ignorance, myths, and misconceptions about hepatitis B. Let’s debunk some of these notions!

Hepatitis B cannot be spread through casual contact, only through blood-to-blood contact or sexual transmission. This means you can hug, kiss, and share a meal with your friends and family without worrying about contracting hepatitis B. In Asian communities, it is especially important to emphasize that family members living with an individual who has hepatitis B, can share meals with each other. And there is a safe and effective vaccine to protect loved ones – so transmission can be prevented!

Sometimes people do not want to discuss their hepatitis B status because of its association with intravenous drug use. People who inject drugs experience more discrimination because of the stigma surrounding addiction. On the flip side, individuals who do not inject drugs but are living with hepatitis B, might not want to discuss their status for fear that other people will stigmatize or label them as drug users. Additionally, people might assume individuals living with hepatitis B engage in risky sexual behavior which can further stigmatize them. This stigmatization only harms people living with hepatitis B because they cannot talk about their status openly, which would help destigmatize the disease.

Even extending past World Kindness Day, we encourage you to be kind to people living with hepatitis B. And if you are living with hepatitis B, please be kind to yourself! Continue to educate yourselves on hepatitis B to help lessen the stigma and discrimination surrounding it.

Below is a brief list of resources for people living with hepatitis B or individuals living with people living with hepatitis B.

  1. Transmission of hepatitis B – how hepatitis B can be transmitted
  2. Online Support Groups
  3. Factsheet – When Someone in the Family has Hepatitis B
  4. Know Your Rights – for anyone experiencing discrimination because of their hepatitis B status

References

  1. Kim, M. J., Lee, H., Kiang, P., Watanabe, P., Torres, M. I., Halon, P., Shi, L., & Church, D. R. (2015). Debunking the myth: low knowledge levels of HBV infection among Asian American college students. Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing, 2(1), 8–16. https://doi.org/10.4103/2347-5625.152399
  2. Mokaya, J., McNaughton, A. L., Burbridge, L., Maponga, T., O’Hara, G., Andersson, M., Seeley, J., & Matthews, P. C. (2018). A blind spot? Confronting the stigma of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection – A systematic review. Wellcome open research, 3, 29. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14273.2

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

About Hepatitis B, HBV, Living with Hepatitis B, Relationships

National Family Caregivers Month and Hepatitis B

November is National Family Caregivers Month! There are over 40 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to their families, friends, and neighbors1. This month we celebrate and support all the caregivers who work tirelessly to keep our family and communities strong.

Caregivers and Hepatitis B

 Caregiving can be a tough, but noble job. It is often unpaid, long hours, and can cause burnout. However, caregivers selflessly work to provide their friends or family with the best care possible. Hepatitis B just does not affect the person living with the virus; it affects their family, friends, coworkers, and community members. Someone who lives with an individual who has hepatitis B might be put in a caregiver position.

Caring for an individual living with hepatitis B might be difficult if the person has advanced liver disease or is experiencing side effects from medication. While it may not always be physically demanding, caring for a person with hepatitis B can be emotionally overwhelming. Caring for an individual living with hepatitis B and other related complications can stir up heavy emotions which can take a toll on a caregiver’s mental health. Managing medications, diet, and healthy lifestyle for people living with hepatitis B during the COVID-19 pandemic can especially feel stressful. Luckily, there are resources available to help reduce feelings of stress and being overwhelmed.

Resources for Caregivers

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed with taking care of your friend or family member? It is also important to look after your own physical and mental health. Check out these resources from the How Right Now Initiative to help you manage your stress especially during COVID-19. Some suggestions include:

  1. Go for a quick walk or stretch
  2. Call, text, or video chat with friends or family
  3. Take several deep breaths

Does someone in your close circle have hepatitis B? Check out the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s Know Hepatitis B Campaign’s fact sheet, “When Someone in the Family has Hepatitis B”. This fact sheet has basic information about hepatitis B and the importance of testing and vaccinating family members. The fact sheet is available in 13 Asian and African languages as well as three English versions focused on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and African Immigrant communities. Download the fact sheet here.

For more information about the Know Hepatitis B Campaign, visit the campaign website.

References

  1. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-family-caregivers-month-2020/
  2. How Right Now Initiative
  3. CDC’s Know Hepatitis B Campaign

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

Baruch S. Blumberg Institute