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  • #Tri4ACure: Racing For Hepatitis B Awareness, Cure Research, and Health

    Edwin Tan learned about his hepatitis B diagnosis in high school after he was banned from donating blood to the Red Cross. Unsure as to why he was not allowed to donate, Edwin asked his doctor about it a few years later. When the routine blood tests came back with irregular results, the doctor ordered an additional test for hepatitis B; the hepatitis B test came back positive. Despite the shock of the diagnosis, Edwin did not let it hold him back! He researched the infection and discovered the importance of keeping his liver healthy. He took steps to change his diet and incorporate more exercise into his daily routine. Studies show that regular exercise can greatly reduce the risk of liver disease and liver cancer. After a friend invited him to participate in a small triathlon, Edwin decided that triathlons and racing were the perfect ways to have fun while staying healthy!   Now, Edwin is competing in a series of six races in midwestern America to help raise  money and awareness for hepatitis B research, patient outreach, and education through the Hepatitis B Foundation! You can make a gift to support Edwin’s fundraising efforts here. “Hepatitis B is something that doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of awareness around it, has stigma associated with it, and doesn’t seem to attract the same attention as a lot of other major diseases out there,” said Edwin. “I believe that the Hepatitis B Foundation is working to tackle all of these issues and focus on finding a cure for it. Because hepatitis B was the reason I started racing and I am interested in increasing awareness, I found it fitting to race for the Hepatitis B Foundation.” On Saturday, June 15th, Edwin competed in the Minnetonka Triathlon in Minnetonka, Minnesota - his first of six races this summer. In just under an hour and a half he accomplished: swimming more than 100 yards, biking 15 miles, and running 3 miles! Edwin’s next race will be on Saturday, June 22nd at Grandma’s Marathon in

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/tri4acure-racing-hepatitis-b-awareness-cure-research-health/
  • Know Your Rights: Legal Protections for Those Living With Hepatitis B

    Despite being the world’s most common liver infection, hepatitis B remains stigmatized and those living with it can still face discrimination from various sources. Each year, the Hepatitis B Foundation answers numerous calls from around the world from people who have faced school, workplace, and travel challenges due to their hepatitis B status. These challenges are typically rooted in misinformation, outdated laws or guidelines, stigma, and an overall lack of awareness. However, there are laws and organizations who will work to protect you from such discrimination! The Hepatitis B Foundation has added a new section to our website that focuses on the rights of people living with hepatitis B. We’ve compiled information on common barriers that those living with hepatitis B may face while applying to schools, jobs, or accessing affordable medicine. Each of the below sections provides information on discriminatory practices, what you can do if you experience discrimination, and how the Hepatitis B Foundation is working to fight discrimination. U.S. Schools and Education U.S. Employment U.S. Military U.S. Access to Medication Immigration and International Issues In the United States, all forms of hepatitis B related discrimination are illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Both laws include provisions that protect people living with chronic conditions. Unfortunately, some forms of discrimination are still legal in certain countries, but steps can sometimes be taken to appeal to immigration policies in these areas. Local organizations can also help those living in foreign countries to navigate complex laws or policies regarding those living with hepatitis B. Many of these organizations can be found through the World Hepatitis Alliance’s member list. Join them and add your voice to eliminate hepatitis B discrimination in your country. Specific protections, resources, and ways to combat legal discrimination can

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/know-rights-legal-protections-living-hepatitis-b/
  • If I Have Hepatitis B, Why Doesn't My Partner?

    Why do some people — who were not vaccinated — never get hepatitis B from their sexual partners? The question is a common one.  As a sexually transmitted disease, it may seem obvious that your partner may contract hepatitis B from their partner, especially if you have been together for some time. It comes down to factors, such as the type of sexual activity you engage in, the viral load (HBV DNA) of the infected partner, and who is on the receiving end of infectious body fluids, especially blood that contains the most virus, and semen. Having one partner infected, while the other is not, can add more stress to an already traumatic hepatitis B diagnosis. “It was very confusing and made me question how was it possible I was the only one infected,” said a woman who tested positive while her husband tested negative.  “I thought it was possibly a mistake, maybe I was a biological anomaly, which of course I was not.” Let’s look at the factors that affect who gets infected and who doesn’t when two people have sex. Viral load: Semen, vaginal fluids and blood all contain the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the higher the viral load, the more infectious a person is considered to be. However, having an undetectable viral load doesn’t mean you won’t infect someone during unsafe sex. Even if a man has an undetectable viral load, studies show his semen still contains some of the virus and can spread infection, though the risk is lower. Essentially, if a man tests positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), he must consider himself infectious. The role of gender: In heterosexual relationships, uninfected women are at higher risk of getting infected by a male partner infected with hepatitis B, rather than the reverse. Women are on the receiving end of semen, which greatly increases their risk of becoming infected unless a condom is used. When a woman is infected with hepatitis B, an uninfected man is at risk through direct contact with her vaginal

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-doesnt-partner/
  • National Public Health Week 2019: Let's Create a Healthier World by Ending Hepatitis B

    … navigate the healthcare system to facing workplace discrimination, hepatitis B patients all over the world can face stress and mental distress. Cultural myths and stigma can negatively impact how infected individuals and their families interact with their communities and even each other. Addressing these issues is a major part of eliminating the infection once and for all. So, for science, for action, and for health, we must all work together to advocate for patients, protect our communities, and end hepatitis worldwide! To hear real patients describe their struggles with hepatitis B, you can view our #justB story campaign.   Want to help raise hepatitis B awareness during National Public Health Week? Join us on social media by using the hashtags #NPHW or #NationalPublicHealthWeek on Twitter and follow along as we participate in the American Public Health Association’s twitter chat on Wednesday, April 3rd at 2 pm!

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/national-public-health-week-2019-lets-create-healthier-world-ending-hepatitis-b/
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule: Standard, Accelerated, and Combination

    … 28 days after the first shot. Accelerated Vaccine Schedule At the moment, Heplisav-B is the only vaccine that is approved on a shortened schedule. Some doctors may offer an accelerated vaccine schedule for special circumstances. However, the accelerated schedule is generally not recommended for individuals who do not need the vaccine within a certain time period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends the accelerated vaccine schedule to those who are traveling on short notice and have a high risk of facing exposure, or to emergency responders in disaster areas. Multiple studies have shown that the minimum time between doses is necessary in order to receive full protection against the infection. If doses are given too close together, the body does not have enough time to create an immune response to the vaccine’ leaving you vulnerable to transmission. If you must complete an accelerated schedule, four doses of the vaccine are required in order to achieve full, long-term immunity. 4 Dose Schedule: 1st Shot - At any given time 2nd Shot - 7 days after the first shot 3rd Shot - Between 21 and 30 days after the 1st shot   4th Shot -  1 year after the first shot     Combined Vaccines In some cases, the hepatitis B vaccine is administered along with other vaccines or as part of a combination vaccine. Examples of combination vaccines that offer protection against HBV include: 1) The pentavalent vaccine which is used for children and protects against a total of five infectious diseases and 2) the combination hepatitis A and B vaccine. While the pentavalent vaccine is offered as the first dose for children in many countries, it is not ideal unless the child is able to get the birth dose of the HBV vaccine. It can only be given once the child is six weeks old, leaving the infant unprotected during the gap. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that children receive a monovalent hepatitis B dose of the vaccine at birth. For

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-vaccine-schedule-standard-accelerated-combination/
  • Maureen's Story

    Maureen did not learn that her soon-to-be adoptive daughter, Libby, has hepatitis B until she went to China to pick her up. She and her husband made the decision to go through with the adoption. Libby and her adopted sister, also hepatitis B positive, have led happy, healthy lives. Maureen has always been open with the girls about risks of transmission, but now that her daughters are entering adolescence, Maureen struggles with how best to talk to them about what living with hepatitis B means for any intimate relationships they may form.  

    https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/patient-story-telling-project/maureens-story/

  •  A generous donor to the Hepatitis B Foundation who cares about increasing federal research funding to find a cure for hepatitis B has promised to match your gifts up to $5,000 between now and Giving Tuesday, November 29. Funds will be used to bring patients living with hepatitis B to Capitol Hill in Washington DC to tell their stories. (Sharing personal stories is one of the most powerful ways to influence our federal legislators.) Please give today or tomorrow to raise patient voices in support of more funding for hepatitis B and liver cancer research.      

    https://www.hepb.org/donate/giving-tuesday/

  • B 型肝炎驗血  有針對 B 型肝炎的驗血嗎？您的醫生或衛生所可以安排一個簡單的 B 型肝炎驗血，稱為「B 型肝炎血檢」。可以在醫生的診所裡抽血。 血檢由三種常見的檢測組成。有時，醫生可能要求在您初診後 6 個月再次檢查您的血液，以確認您的 B 型肝炎狀態。如果您認為您最近已感染 B 型肝炎，可能需要長達 9 週的時間才能在您的血液中檢測到病毒。 您的 B 型肝炎驗血結果可能令人困惑，您想要確定您的診斷——您是感染了 B 型肝炎，還是已經從 B 型肝炎感染痊癒，或是您患有慢性 B 型肝炎？ 此外，索取一份驗血報告副本會很有幫助，這樣您便可以充分瞭解哪些檢查結果呈陽性，哪些呈陰性。 「B 型肝炎血檢」是由哪三種檢測組成的？ B 型肝炎血檢只需要採集一個血樣，但包括三種必要的檢測來做出最後診斷： HBsAg （B 型肝炎表面抗原）  HBsAb 或 anti-HBs（B 型肝炎表面抗體）  HBcAb 或 anti-HBc（B 型肝炎核心抗體） 什麼是 B 型肝炎表面抗原 (HBsAg)？ 「陽性」或「反應性」HBsAg 檢測結果表示此人已感染 B 型肝炎病毒，可能是「急性」或「慢性」感染。受感染者可以經由血液將病毒傳給他人。 B 型肝炎表面抗體（HBsAb 或 anti-HBs）什麼是？「陽性」或「反應性」HBsAb（或 anti-HBs）檢測結果表明，一個人要麼成功地對 B 型肝炎疫苗有反應，要麼已經從急性 B 型肝炎感染痊癒。這個結果（加上陰性 HBsAg 結果）表示您對未來的 B 型肝炎感染是免疫的（免患 B 型肝炎感染）。 什麼是B 型肝炎核心抗體 (HBcAb)？HBcAb 是一種抗體，是病毒的一部分——它不提供保護。「陽性」或「反應性」HBcAb（或 anti-HBc）檢測結果表明過去或現在的感染。這種檢測結果的解釋視其他兩種檢測結果而定。它與保護性表面抗體（陽性 HBsAb 或 anti-HBs）共同出現表明先前的感染和痊癒。對於慢性感染者，它會通常與病毒（陽性 HBsAg）一起出現。 Hepatitis B Blood Tests Is there a blood test for hepatitis B?There is a simple hepatitis B blood test that your doctor or health clinic can order called the “hepatitis B blood panel”. This blood sample can be taken in the doctor’s office. There are 3 common tests that make up this blood panel. Sometimes the doctor may ask to check your blood again six months after your first visit to confirm your hepatitis B status. If you think you have been recently infected with hepatitis B, it can take up to 9 weeks before the virus will be detected in your blood. Understanding your hepatitis B blood test results can be confusing, so you want to be sure about your diagnosis – are you infected with hepatitis B, have you recovered from a hepatitis B infection, or do you have a chronic hepatitis B infection? In addition, it is helpful if you request a written copy of your blood tests so that you fully understand which tests are positive or negative. What three tests make up the "hepatitis B blood panel"? The hepatitis B blood panel requires only one blood sample but includes three tests that are needed to make a final diagnosis: HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)  HBsAb or anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody)  HBcAb or anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) What is the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)? A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with the hepatitis B virus, which can be an "acute" or a "chronic" infection. Infected people can pass the virus on to others through their blood. What is the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb or anti-HBs)?A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAb (or anti-HBs) test result indicates that a person has either successfully responded to the hepatitis B vaccine or has recovered from an acute hepatitis B infection. This result (along with a negative HbsAg result) means that you are immune to (protected from) a future hepatitis B infection. What is the hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)?The HBcAb is an antibody that is part of the virus- it does not provide protection. A "positive" or "reactive" HBcAb (or anti-HBc) test result indicates a past or present infection. The interpretation of this test result depends on the results of the other two tests. Its appearance with the protective surface antibody (positive HBsAb or anti-HBs) indicates prior infection and recovery. For chronically infected persons, it will usually appear with the virus (positive HBsAg).  

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/chinese-traditional/understanding-hepb-blood-tests/

  • B형 간염 혈액 검사  B형 간염에 대한 혈액 검사가 있나요?의사나 의원에서 요청할 수 있는 간단한 B형 간염 혈액 검사로 “B형 간염 혈액 패널”이라 불리는 검사가 있습니다. 이 혈액 표본은 병원에서 채취합니다. 이 혈액 패널을 구성하는 공통 검사가 3개 있습니다. 의사는 B형 간염 상태를 확인하기 위해 첫 방문 6개월 후에 혈액 재검사를 요구할 수도 있습니다. 최근 B형 간염에 걸렸다고 판단되는 경우, 혈액 내 바이러스를 검출하려면 최대 9주 정도 걸립니다. B형 간염 혈액 검사 결과가 복잡할 수 있기 때문에 B형 간염에 걸렸는지, B형 간염으로부터 회복되었는지 또는 만성 B형 간염이 있는 것인지에 대한 진단을 확실히 해야 합니다. 더불어 어떤 검사가 양성 또는 음성인지 충분히 이해할 수 있도록 혈액 검사 결과 사본을 요청하는 것이 도움이 됩니다. “B형 간염 혈액 패널”을 이루고 있는 3가지 검사는 무엇인가요? B형 간염 혈액 패널은 혈액 표본 1개만 필요하나, 최종 진단을 내리려면 검사 3가지가 필요합니다.• HBsAg (B형 간염 표면 항원) • HBsAb 또는 anti-HBs (B형 간염 표면 항체) • HBcAb 또는 anti-HBc (B형 간염 코어 항체) B형 간염 표면 항원(HBsAg)이란 무엇인가요? “양성” 또는 “반응성” HBsAg 검사 결과란 피검사자가 B형 간염에 걸렸다는 것을 뜻하며 이는 “급성” 또는 “만성” 감염일 수 있습니다. 감염된 사람들은 혈액을 통해 바이러스를 타인에 옮길 수 있습니다. B형 간염 표면 항체(HBsAb 또는 anti-HBs)란 무엇인가요?“양성” 또는 “반응성” HBsAb(또는 anti-HBs) 검사 결과는 피검사자가 성공적으로 B형 간염 백신에 반응했거나 급성 B형 간염에서 회복했다는 것을 나타냅니다. (HBsAg 결과와 함께) 이 결과는 향후 B형 간염에 면역되어(보호되고) 있다는 것을 의미합니다. B형 간염 코어 항체(HBcAb)란 무엇인가요?HBcAb는 바이러스의 일부인 항체로, 이는 보호를 제공하지 않습니다. “양성” 또는 “반응성” HBcAb(또는 anti-HBc) 검사 결과는 과거 또는 현재의 감염을 나타냅니다. 이 검사 결과의 해석은 나머지 두 검사의 결과에 달려 있습니다. 방어적 표면 항체(양성 HBsAb 또는 anti-HBs)와 나타나게 되면 이전 감염 및 회복을 나타내는 것입니다. 만성 감염이 있는 사람은 보통 바이러스(양성 HBsAg)와 함께 나타납니다.   Hepatitis B Blood Tests Is there a blood test for hepatitis B?There is a simple hepatitis B blood test that your doctor or health clinic can order called the “hepatitis B blood panel”. This blood sample can be taken in the doctor’s office. There are 3 common tests that make up this blood panel. Sometimes the doctor may ask to check your blood again six months after your first visit to confirm your hepatitis B status. If you think you have been recently infected with hepatitis B, it can take up to 9 weeks before the virus will be detected in your blood.Understanding your hepatitis B blood test results can be confusing, so you want to be sure about your diagnosis – are you infected with hepatitis B, have you recovered from a hepatitis B infection, or do you have a chronic hepatitis B infection? In addition, it is helpful if you request a written copy of your blood tests so that you fully understand which tests are positive or negative. What three tests make up the "hepatitis B blood panel"? The hepatitis B blood panel requires only one blood sample but includes three tests that are needed to make a final diagnosis:• HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) • HBsAb or anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) • HBcAb or anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) What is the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)? A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with the hepatitis B virus, which can be an "acute" or a "chronic" infection. Infected people can pass the virus on to others through their blood. What is the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb or anti-HBs)?A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAb (or anti-HBs) test result indicates that a person has either successfully responded to the hepatitis B vaccine or has recovered from an acute hepatitis B infection. This result (along with a negative HbsAg result) means that you are immune to (protected from) a future hepatitis B infection. What is the hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)?The HBcAb is an antibody that is part of the virus- it does not provide protection. A "positive" or "reactive" HBcAb (or anti-HBc) test result indicates a past or present infection. The interpretation of this test result depends on the results of the other two tests. Its appearance with the protective surface antibody (positive HBsAb or anti-HBs) indicates prior infection and recovery. For chronically infected persons, it will usually appear with the virus (positive HBsAg).

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/korean/understanding-hepatitis-b-blood-tests/

  • 乙型肝炎验血 有针对乙型肝炎的验血吗？有一种您的医生或卫生所可以预定的简单乙型肝炎验血，称为“乙型肝炎血检”。该血样可以在医生的办公室里采集。 有 3 个常见的测试组成了该血检。有时，医生可能要求在您初诊后 6 个月再次检查您的血液，以确认您的乙型肝炎状态。如果您认为您最近已感染乙型肝炎，可能需要长达 9 周的时间才能在您的血液中检测到病毒。 了解您的乙型肝炎验血结果可能令人困惑，所以您想要确定您的诊断——您是感染了乙型肝炎，是已从乙型肝炎感染中恢复，或是您患有慢性乙型肝炎感染？ 此外，如果您要求一份验血的书面副本，将十分有帮助，这样您便可完全了解哪些测试呈阳性，哪些呈阴性。 哪三个测试组成了“乙型肝炎血检”？ 乙型肝炎血检仅需要一个血液样本，但包括三个需要进行的测试来做出最后诊断： HBsAg（乙型肝炎表面抗原）  HBsAb 或 anti-HBs （乙型肝炎表面抗体）  HBcAb 或 anti-HBc （乙型肝炎核心抗体） 什么是乙型肝炎表面抗原 (HBsAg)？ “阳性”或“反应性” HBsAg 测试结果意味着此人感染了乙型肝炎病毒，可能是“急性”或“慢性”感染。受感染者可以通过其血液将病毒传给他人。 什么是乙型肝炎表面抗体（HBsAb 或 anti-HBs）？“阳性”或“反应性” HBsAb （或 anti-HBs）测试结果表明，一个人要么成功地对乙型肝炎疫苗应答，要么已经从急性乙型肝炎感染中恢复。这个结果（加上阴性 HBsAg 结果）意味着您对未来的乙型肝炎感染是免疫的（免患乙型肝炎感染）。 什么是乙型肝炎核心抗体 (HBcAb)？HBcAb 是一种抗体，是病毒的一部分——它不提供保护。“阳性”或“反应性” HBcAb （或 anti-HBc）测试结果表明过去或现在的感染。对这个测试结果的解释依赖于其他两个测试的结果。它与保护性表面抗体（阳性 HBsAb 或 anti-HBs）共同出现表明先前的感染和恢复。对于慢性感染者，它会通常与病毒（阳性 HBsAg）一同出现。   Hepatitis B Blood Tests Is there a blood test for hepatitis B?There is a simple hepatitis B blood test that your doctor or health clinic can order called the “hepatitis B blood panel”. This blood sample can be taken in the doctor’s office. There are 3 common tests that make up this blood panel. Sometimes the doctor may ask to check your blood again six months after your first visit to confirm your hepatitis B status. If you think you have been recently infected with hepatitis B, it can take up to 9 weeks before the virus will be detected in your blood. Understanding your hepatitis B blood test results can be confusing, so you want to be sure about your diagnosis – are you infected with hepatitis B, have you recovered from a hepatitis B infection, or do you have a chronic hepatitis B infection? In addition, it is helpful if you request a written copy of your blood tests so that you fully understand which tests are positive or negative. What three tests make up the "hepatitis B blood panel"? The hepatitis B blood panel requires only one blood sample but includes three tests that are needed to make a final diagnosis: HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)  HBsAb or anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody)  HBcAb or anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) What is the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)? A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with the hepatitis B virus, which can be an "acute" or a "chronic" infection. Infected people can pass the virus on to others through their blood. What is the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb or anti-HBs)?A "positive" or “reactive” HBsAb (or anti-HBs) test result indicates that a person has either successfully responded to the hepatitis B vaccine or has recovered from an acute hepatitis B infection. This result (along with a negative HbsAg result) means that you are immune to (protected from) a future hepatitis B infection. What is the hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)?The HBcAb is an antibody that is part of the virus- it does not provide protection. A "positive" or "reactive" HBcAb (or anti-HBc) test result indicates a past or present infection. The interpretation of this test result depends on the results of the other two tests. Its appearance with the protective surface antibody (positive HBsAb or anti-HBs) indicates prior infection and recovery. For chronically infected persons, it will usually appear with the virus (positive HBsAg).  

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/chinese-simplified/bloodtests/