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• The Importance of Liver Surveillance

  October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month! This blog will discuss the importance of liver surveillance if you are living with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B as a Major Risk Factor for Liver Cancer Although liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world, it is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Many people do not realize that chronic hepatitis B is the primary global risk factor for developing liver cancer. Certain viruses, including hepatitis B, can cause hepatitis, which translates to “inflammation of liver.” The virus attacks the liver and weakens its ability to perform important tasks like filtering toxins from your blood and maintaining the level of sugar in your blood. Chronic (long-term) infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses can lead to liver cancer. Worldwide, hepatitis B is very widespread, making it a priority when it comes to the prevention of liver cancer. Approximately 292 million people around the world are living with hepatitis B. Why Should I be Screened?  Early detection of liver cancer can save lives! Regular screening for liver cancer and early detection are the most effective ways to improve treatment success and survival rates. Early detection of liver cancer results in more treatment options, which greatly improves the chances of survival after initial diagnosis. For patients in whom liver cancer is detected at an early stage and before symptoms occur - while the tumor is small and can be surgically removed - the 5-year survival rate can sometimes be more than 50%. This is why regular liver cancer screening is so important. If you have cirrhosis or other known risk factors for liver cancer, make sure your health care provider screens you for liver cancer during your medical visits. Finding the cancer early may increase the chance of successful treatment. Your health care provider may refer you to a hepatologist, a doctor who specializes in liver diseases. Hepatologists have the most experience in managing chronic

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/importance-liver-surveillance/
• Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

  … 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/      

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-liver-cancer/
• SHEA Updated Guidelines: Health Care Personnel Living Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV

  SHEA Updated Guidelines on Health Care Workers Living With Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus  Many health care students and professionals in the U.S. are living with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. Living with these conditions should not interfere with a person’s health care education or professional career. It is important that health care students and professionals are aware of their rights and responsibilities - and equally important that health care schools and institutions are aware of their responsibilities, as well. There are now new guidelines to help institutions understand how to manage health care professionals living with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. The Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) recently updated their guidelines on health care workers who are living with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These updates reflect the advances in medical technologies and the low transmission risk health care workers living with HBV, HCV, and HIV pose. It is important to note, there have been very few cases of health care personnel (HCP) transmitting HBV,  HCV, or HIV to patients. These new guidelines, which align with the CDC’s Recommendations for the Management of Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Health-Care Providers and Students, can help reduce discrimination of health care students and personnel. Some of the important updated recommendations for health care workers living with hepatitis B include: Pre-vaccination testing does not need to be done unless the individual has an increased risk of infection Health care workers should have a complete vaccination series for hepatitis B. Learn more about the vaccination series Health care professionals living with HBV who do not perform exposure-prone procedures should not be prohibited from participating in patient-care activities solely on the basis of their HBV infection Health care personnel living with HBV should seek

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/shea-updated-guidelines-health-care-personnel-living-hepatitis-b-hepatitis-c-hiv/
• Journey to the Cure: What is the Future of the Hep B Cure? ft. Timothy Block, PhD

  Welcome to "Journey to the Cure" This is a web series that chronicles the progress at the Hepatitis B Foundation and Baruch S. Blumberg Institute towards finding the cure for hepatitis B. In the first episode (part 2), Kristine Alarcon, MPH sits down with Timothy Block, PhD, President and Co-Founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation, to talk about what a hepatitis B cure could look like in the future. For any questions about hepatitis B, please email info@hepb.org Disclaimer: The information provided in this audio post is not intended to serve as medical advice or endorsement of any product. The Hepatitis B Foundation strongly recommends each person discuss this information and their questions with a qualified health care provider. Special Thanks: Samantha Young Music: Modern - iMovie Library Collection http://www.hepb.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/JTC-ep-1-pt-2-audio.m4a   Script:  Welcome to Journey to the Cure! Every month, we’ll sit down with scientists from the Hepatitis B Foundation and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute to talk to you about hepatitis B and efforts to find a cure for hepatitis B. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re here to walk you through our journey. Timothy Block, PhD: The Hepatitis B Foundation is now largely devoted to basically outreach and what I call human services or being there for people. We wanted, however, to keep pressure on research communities – to make sure there was a research organization. The Hepatitis B Foundation created a second non-profit organization, originally called the IHVR, renamed in Dr. Blumberg’s honor after he passed away; and that’s the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute. And that’s a group of research scientists. Kristine Alarcon, MPH: What do we need in order to find a cure for hepatitis B? Timothy Block, PhD: Well, we need more research. We need focused research and the community’s kind of coming together with a consensus. The Hepatitis B Foundation organized that workshop, which we

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/journey-cure-future-hep-b-cure-ft-timothy-block-phd/
• Cold and Flu Season Is Here. If You Live with Hepatitis B, You Need a Flu Shot. Now.

  … predictions look for this flu season? It's impossible to predict exactly which viruses will circulate or if the vaccine is a good match. Flu viruses change constantly (called drift) from season to season and can even mutate during a single flu season. However, the most recent CDC analysis claims the current vaccine formulation should do the job. In addition to getting a flu shot, you can practice common-sense prevention such as avoiding sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school. Antivirals used to fight the flu While we all know antiviral drugs are effective against the hepatitis B virus, researchers have also developed antivirals that can help us fight the flu if we do get it. People at high risk of serious flu complications (such as children younger than 2 years, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic hepatitis B) and people who simply get very sick with the flu should get one of three available flu antiviral drugs--oseltamivir, zanamivir, or peramivir. According to CDC, prompt treatment with a flu antiviral can mean the difference between having a mild case versus a very serious one that can land you in the hospital. Treatment with antivirals works best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick, but can still help if administered later during your illness. Antivirals are effective in all age- and risk groups. Studies show some doctors do not prescribe antiviral drugs to people at high risk of complications from the flu, so be assertive and ask your doctor for them if you have the flu! Remember, Dec. 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. Make sure you, your family and friends are protected against the flu! To find out where to go to get a flu shot, visit the CDC’s flu vaccine finder.

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/cold-season-is-here-if-you-live-with-hepatitis-b-you-need-a-flu-shot-now/