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  • Adults Living with Hepatitis B

    If you test positive for the hepatitis B virus for longer than 6 months, this indicates that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection.  All patients with chronic hepatitis B infections, including children and adults, should be monitored regularly since they are at increased risk for developing cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. You should make an appointment with a hepatologist (liver specialist) or gastroenterologist familiar with hepatitis B. This specialist will order blood tests and possibly a liver ultrasound to evaluate your hepatitis B status and the health of your liver. Your doctor will probably want to see you at least once or twice a year to monitor your hepatitis B and determine if you would benefit from treatment. Not everyone who tests positive for hepatitis B will require medication. Depending on your test results, you and your doctor might decide to wait and monitor your condition. If your test results indicate that you would be a good candidate for treatment, then your doctor will discuss the current treatment options with you. Whether you start treatment or not, your doctor will want to see you every six months, or at minimum once every year. Before you start any treatment, make sure you research each treatment option, and ask your doctor to thoroughly explain each option, so that you are well informed. It also might be a good idea to get a second opinion from another doctor before starting any treatment, because more information is always better! Once you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, the virus will most likely stay in your blood and liver for a lifetime. It is important to know that you can pass the virus along to others, even if you don’t feel sick. This is why it’s so important that you make sure that all close household contacts and sex partners are tested and vaccinated against hepatitis B. While living with hepatitis B can be difficult and scary at first, the more information and support that you have, the easier it gets. Many patients become such experts at managing their hepatitis B that they sometimes teach their health care providers about the latest research and information! The most important thing to remember is that hepatitis B is a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) that can be successfully managed if you take good care of your health and your liver. You should expect to live a long, full life.

    https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/adults-with-hepatitis-b/
  • What is the likelihood that someone infected with hepatitis B will develop liver cancer?

    Individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B, who were infected at birth, and who do not receive any medical intervention or treatment, can have up to a 25% lifetime risk of developing liver cancer. The risk is highest for people with other risk factors – such as people who have cirrhosis, or a family history of liver cancer. The annual risk of developing liver cancer among people with hepatitis B is less than 1% in people without cirrhosis and 2-4% in people with cirrhosis. However, the risk of liver cancer can be significantly reduced with early detection of hepatitis B virus, treatment with antivirals if advised by your doctor, and making healthy lifestyle choices. Careful and early management of a chronic hepatitis B infection can avoid the progression of liver disease to cirrhosis, where there is the greatest risk for liver cancer. Regular screening for liver cancer, also known as liver cancer surveillance, can detect cancers early when they may be curative. Know your status and get tested for hepatitis B. Please keep in mind that feeling healthy and having no symptoms DOES NOT mean there is no infection, or consequent serious liver problems. So, ask your doctor to test you for hepatitis B, and if you’re living with hepatitis B, ask your doctor about liver cancer surveillance. Find more Frequently Asked Questions here.    Page updated 12/27/2022

    https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/faqs/what-is-the-likelihood-that-someone-infected-with-hepatitis-b-will-develop-liver-cancer/
  • If I have chronic hepatitis B infection, can I hug my children, partner or friend?

    Yes, you can and should hug your loved ones! Hepatitis B is not spread casually, and it cannot be spread through hugging. Actually, hugging has many health benefits like reducing stress and fear, boosting heart health, and reducing pain, to name a few. You can find more information about the health benefits of hugging here. In many parts of the world, where hepatitis B is common, hepatitis B infection is most often transmitted from a mother who is living with hepatitis B to her newborn baby due to blood exchanged during the delivery process. Hepatitis B is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and infected sexual fluids. This can occur through sharing sharp instruments such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, earrings or body jewelry, since small amounts of blood can be exchanged through these items. Hepatitis B may also be transmitted during unprotected sex with an infected partner, sharing needles, unsterilized medical or dental equipment. Also, body piercing and tattooing are potential sources of infection if unsterile needles or contaminated ink are used. The good news is that completion of the hepatitis B vaccination series provides lifelong protection against a hepatitis B infection in anyone who has not already been infected. Please visit our webpage to learn more about hepatitis B transmission, and how to protect your loved ones with the hepatitis B vaccine.   Find more Frequently Asked Questions here.    Page updated 12/27/2022

    https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/faqs/if-i-have-chronic-hepatitis-b-infection-can-i-hug-my-children-partner-or-friend/
  • Perspective on the Liver Biopsy - "The Gold Standard"

    Have you noticed fewer patients living with chronic HBV seem to get liver biopsies to assess liver damage?  Here is a perspective on the Liver Biopsy, known as the "gold standard", by William Carey, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Cleveland Clinic. Published in Healio , July 14, 2014  Liver biopsy is referred to as the “gold standard” in assessing both the activity and degree of fibrosis in many chronic liver diseases including hepatitis B. It is not likely to retain this lofty status much longer. Liver biopsy has several important drawbacks. Among them are cost, risk for complications, need for additional health care resources, patient and physician aversion to the procedure, inadequate specimen size and the lack of specific findings. Liver biopsy adds between $2,500 to $3,500 to the cost of an evaluation (even higher for transvenous liver biopsy). Approximately 20% of patients will experience significant pain following percutaneous liver biopsy. More severe complications include pneumothorax, major bleeding, inadvertent biopsy of the kidney or colon, and perforation of the gallbladder. Death, most often due to uncontrolled bleeding, may occur in up to 1 in 1,000 biopsies. Underappreciated is the risk of no-representative sampling, either because of the small size of biopsy specimen or patchy distribution of fibrosis. Noninvasive measures to assess hepatic fibrosis have been around for a generation and are increasingly used as a substitute for liver biopsy. The 2014 medley of noninvasive estimates of hepatic fibrosis includes FibroTest/FibroSure, APRI, FIB-4, other serum based test combinations, and elastography (either ultrasound- or MRI-based). Noninvasive tests have potential both for determination of current liver damage and for monitoring disease progression. They can be done at a fraction of the cost of a liver biopsy. Salkic and colleagues have reported the results of an exquisitely performed meta-analysis of peer reviewed

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/perspective-on-the-liver-biopsy-the-gold-standard/
  • New USPSTF Recommendation on Hepatitis B Screening for People at High-Risk

    Truly historic news! Those living with chronic hepatitis B will be identified sooner and learn more about their HBV infection. They can live full lives by improving their health through regular monitoring, treatment when necessary, and adopting healthy lifestyles that benefit the liver. Symptoms may not occur for decades so many are completely unaware of their infection. If you believe you are at risk, please talk to your doctor about being screened for hepatitis B. By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services On Monday, May 26th, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) published its final recommendation statement on screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in individuals at high risk. This recommendation includes adults and adolescents who are not pregnant and who have not been vaccinated, as well as other individuals at high risk for infection. Click here to better Understand the details of the Task Force Recommendations. After reviewing the evidence, the Task Force recommends screening people who have the following risk factors for HBV infection: People born in countries and regions with a high prevalence of HBV infection, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, China, Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the northern countries in South America; U.S.-born persons not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in countries or regions with a high prevalence of HBV infection; HIV-positive people, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, and those living with or having sex with someone with HBV infection; or Patients with weakened immune systems or undergoing treatment for kidney failure (hemodialysis). There are still as many as 2.2 million people in the United States chronically infected with hepatitis B and 15 to 25 percent of those individuals die from liver

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/new-uspstf-recommendation-on-hepatitis-b-screening-for-people-at-high-risk/
  • Do You Know Your Hepatitis Facts from Fiction?

    May is Hepatitis Awareness Month! In recognition of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, Liver Cancer Connect reviews some important facts and dangerous fiction about chronic hepatitis B and C- the world’s leading causes of liver cancer. First, the facts: FACT #1. Viral hepatitis is a silent killer of millions Hepatitis B infection is the world’s leading cause of liver cancer, which is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. In the US, 1 in 20 Americans has been exposed to hepatitis B (about 12 million people), while about 5 million Americans have hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is the main cause of liver cancer in the US (because more Americans have hepatitis C) and the main reason for liver transplantation. Viral hepatitis is truly a silent killer. Of the 400 million people in the world with chronic hepatitis B and the 170 million with chronic hepatitis C, most don’t even know they are infected. FACT#2. Testing saves lives! The CDC recommends all US baby boomers (those born between 1945 and 1965) get a one-time test for hepatitis C, because one in 30 boomers has been infected with hepatitis C. In its recent draft recommendations, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends testing persons at high risk for hepatitis B, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Testing saves lives by detecting the liver disease early and by identifying people who are not infected and who therefore can be vaccinated against hepatitis B. FACT #3. HBV is preventable and treatable; HCV is now curable! Hepatitis B is preventable! So if you do not have hepatitis B, get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine- the world’s first anti-cancer vaccine- offers lifelong protection. If you do have hepatitis B, talk to a healthcare professional about whether you need to get treated with one of the seven therapies that keep the virus under control. There’s no vaccine against hepatitis C, but it is now curable! Now let’s tackle the fiction: FICTION #1. “Hepatitis B is sexually

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/do-you-know-your-hepatitis-facts-from-fiction/
  • Hepatitis B community leaders convene to address eliminating hepatitis B during COVID-19 pandemic

    Doylestown, Nov. 30, 2020 – Hep B United, a national coalition established by the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) to address the silent epidemic of hepatitis B, will host its eighth annual (and first virtual) summit Dec. 2-4. The event will bring together nearly 200 community leaders, advocates and people living with hepatitis B to promote screening and prevention strategies and advocate for equitable access to health care. Hepatitis B is caused by a virus and is the world’s most common, serious liver infection. It also is the deadliest vaccine-preventable disease, with nearly 900,000 people dying each year from hepatitis B-related disease worldwide. In the United States, an estimated 2.2 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B, yet most do not know it. Without early diagnosis and intervention, one in four people living with hepatitis B will die prematurely from liver failure or liver cancer. “Every year, the Hep B United summit brings together partners around the country to share best practices towards the elimination of hepatitis B,” Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president of the Hepatitis B Foundation and co-chair of Hep B United, said. “The COVID-19 global pandemic has negatively impacted hepatitis B testing and vaccination programs. We look forward to having important conversations at the summit about strategies to continue critical community-based hepatitis B prevention and outreach programs.” The Hep B United summit is the largest convening of hepatitis B leaders from community coalitions, national nonprofit organizations, individuals and family members affected by hepatitis B, and public health agencies in the United States. Hep B United is comprised of nearly 50 community coalitions across the country located in 29 cities, 22 states and Washington, D.C.  The summit’s theme, “Standing Up for Hepatitis B: Creative Collaborations to Amplify Awareness, Access, and Equity,” features sessions that share innovative local, national and global programs to prevent, diagnose and treat hepatitis B, including implementing screening and vaccination programs during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. The summit also will include sessions on the hepatitis B cure, how bias and racism affect health care, and voices from #justB, the Hepatitis B Foundation’s national storytelling campaign that tells the personal stories of people affected by hepatitis B to increase public awareness and combat stigma and discrimination.  "The Hep B United Summit convenes community leaders and other experts across the country at the frontlines of combating hepatitis B," said Jeffrey Caballero, executive director of AAPCHO and co-chair of Hep B United. "The Summit is needed now more than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated the challenges of those most impacted by hepatitis B, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Critical conversations, community engagement and advocacy best practices among the Hep B United coalition members spark the action needed to continue our work together to end this 'silent' epidemic and ensure equitable access to health care for our communities." During the Summit’s reception on Dec. 4, Hep B United will present Corinna Dan, RN, MPH, former Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, with the first Hepatitis B Federal Champion Award. Hep B United also will present 2020 Hep B Champion Awards to nine community leaders and organizations in recognition of their collaborative and successful initiatives to address hepatitis:  Amy Shen Tang, MD, Director of Immigrant Health, Northeast Medical Services, San Francisco Asian Health Coalition, Chicago Bright Ansah, #justB Storyteller, Maryland Chioma Nnaji, MPH, MEd, Project Director, Multicultural AIDS Coalition, Boston Coalition Against Hepatitis in People of African Origin (CHIPO) New York City David Urick, #justB Storyteller, Ypsilanti, MI Farma Pene, Community Projects Coordinator, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, New York City Joe Balestreri, #justB Storyteller, Santa Rosa, CA Richard So, MPH, MPA, Executive Director, San Francisco Hep B Free-Bay Area, San Francisco About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is one of the world’s most common infections and the primary cause of liver cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the world. Up to 292 million are chronically infected, and almost 1 million people die each year from hepatitis B-related liver failure and liver cancer. In the U.S., one in 20 Americans has been infected with hepatitis B, and up to 2.2 million are chronically infected. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood, unprotected sex, unsterile needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn due to blood exchange during delivery. Although hepatitis B is preventable and treatable, there is still no complete cure for this deadly liver infection.  About Hep B United: Hep B United is a national coalition established by the Hepatitis B Foundation and the Association of Asian and Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) to address the public health challenge of hepatitis B by increasing awareness, screening, vaccination and linkage to care for all Americans, with a particular focus on Asian-American and Pacific Islander populations that are disproportionately impacted. To learn more, visit www.hepbunited.org.  About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with an office in Washington, D.C. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900. To donate, contact Jean Holmes at 215-489-4900 or jean.holmes@hepb.org. About the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization: The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization (AAPCHO) is a national association of community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. To learn more, visit www.aapcho.org.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-community-leaders-convene-to-address-eliminating-hepatitis-b-during-covid-19-pandemic/
  • The World’s Second Deadliest Cancer Is …Preventable

    Liver cancer is the world’s second leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the latest World Cancer Report 2014 released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). About 800,000 deaths per year are related to liver cancer. The growing global cancer burden and the ever-increasing costs of cancer care are “damaging the economies of even the richest countries and are way beyond the reach of developing countries,” the Report states. Efficient prevention strategies are urgently needed, because treatments alone cannot solve the problem of cancer, pointed out Dr Christopher Wild, Director of IARC. He declared that “More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed to complement improved treatments.” In fact about half of all cancers could be avoided if national vaccination programs and low-tech approaches to early detection and screening were adequately implemented. These strategies have already been shown to be effective in several countries. Among other recommendations, the Report specifically advocates for more widespread use of preventive measures, such as the hepatitis B vaccine (the world’s first anti-cancer vaccine) to reduce the incidence of liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer in the world. While governments may think vaccination, screening and early detection programs are too expensive, Dr Bernard W. Stewart, co-editor of IARC/WHO Report, argues that governments should view such preventive measures as “an investment rather than a cost.” Educating policymakers about the importance of such investments was also a topic of discussion at the Liver Cancer Roundtable meeting held in November, 2013, in Washington, DC. The Hepatitis B Foundation, which created the Liver Cancer Connect program, joined the nation’s leading liver disease experts, research scientists, advocacy groups, and government agencies

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/the-worlds-second-deadliest-cancer-is-preventable/
  • Coffee Consumption Reduces Risk of Liver Cancer

    "Our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver," said Carlo La Vecchia, MD. (Credit: © volff / Fotolia) Coffee consumption reduces risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, by about 40 percent, according to an up-to-date meta-analysis published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Further, some data indicate that three cups of coffee per day reduce liver cancer risk by more than 50 percent. Read more.  Posted in Science Daily, October 22, 2013

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/coffee-consumption-reduces-risk-of-liver-cancer/
  • Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B

    Worldwide, chronic infection with hepatitis causes 80% of all primary liver cancers and more than 500,000 people die each year from this lethal cancer. Currently, primary liver cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 10%. The good news is that there is an effective vaccine against hepatitis B infection. In fact, the hepatitis B vaccine was named the first “anti-cancer vaccine” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because the prevention of chronic hepatitis B infections results in the prevention of primary liver cancer due to hepatitis B (the vaccine, however, does not protect against liver cancer due to chronic hepatitis C infections). Additionally, there are effective therapies to control and manage chronic hepatitis B infections to help prevent the progression to liver cancer as well. Because of the strong link between hepatitis and liver cancer, we have developed a program, Liver Cancer Connect, designed to answer your questions and provide more information about primary liver cancer. You can learn more about the link between chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cancer, how liver cancer is diagnosed and treated, and why regular screening for liver cancer is important for those living with chronic hepatitis B. Visit Liver Cancer Connect to learn more.

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