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May is Hepatitis Awareness Month!
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month! This month, we bring awareness to the public health impact of viral hepatitis in the U.S., and the health consequences of hepatitis B and C infections if left untreated. Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects 2 billion people and in the U.S. an estimated 2.4 million people are living with a chronic hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B is often called the “silent killer”, as people often do not realize they are infected with hepatitis B until their liver is severely damaged, which makes it vital that the month of May is dedicated to raising awareness of hepatitis B. Because chronic hepatitis B infection is the most common risk factor for liver cancer, it is critical that we improve awareness on how to prevent, diagnose and treat hepatitis B. Individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B have a 25% to 40% lifetime risk of developing liver cancer. However, it is important to note that with proper testing and treatment, people living with hepatitis B can reduce that risk and live a long and happy life. This month we look forward to encouraging all adults in the U.S. to get tested for hepatitis B with a simple blood test, and get vaccinated with a safe and effective vaccine if they are not yet protected or infected. Thank you for helping us bring awareness to hepatitis B this May! Resources For Patients The Hepatitis B Foundation has multiple resources for patients you might not be aware of. Below is a small list you should check out! Hep B Community A new global online support group. Physician Directory Find knowledgeable doctors! The Hepatitis B Foundation has created a directory of liver specialists to help those seeking qualified medical care. The specialists have agreed to be included in this directory and treat chronic hepatitis B and/or liver cancer and are willing to be contacted for further information. B Heppy A podcast discussing all things hepatitis B-related. Our first episode discusses the COVID-19
http://www.hepb.org/blog/may-hepatitis-awareness-month-2/ -
Pregnancy and Hepatitis B
… therapy during her third trimester, which will further reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission. If you are pregnant and have hepatitis B, talk to your doctor about testing your HBV DNA level, and starting antiviral treatment if it is elevated. There are WHO guidelines for managing hepatitis B infection among pregnant women, which your doctor can use to guide your care. Commonly Asked Questions About Perinatal Transmission I am pregnant, should I be tested for hepatitis B? ALL pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B. Testing is especially important for women who fall into high-risk groups such as health care workers, women from ethnic communities or countries where hepatitis B is common, spouses or partners living with an infected person, etc. If you are pregnant, be sure your doctor tests you for hepatitis B before your baby is born, ideally as early as possible during the first trimester. I have hepatitis B and I am pregnant, what should I do? You already know your hepatitis B status - this is a great first step! The next thing you should do is tell your medical provider who should perform additional laboratory testing, including HBV DNA level (viral load), and should check to see if there is evidence of cirrhosis. All pregnant women who are diagnosed with hepatitis B should be referred to care with a knowledgeable doctor. Some may require continued treatment with an antiviral, many will not. All women with hepatitis B need regular monitoring throughout their life since hepatitis B infection and the health of the liver can change over time. Can I transmit hepatitis B to my baby when I am breastfeeding? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that all women with hepatitis B should be encouraged to breastfeed their newborns. *Especially if your baby has received the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risk.* Can I prevent my baby from
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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
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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
http://www.hepb.org/blog/eighth-annual-hep-b-united-summit-success/ -
Dental Settings and Hepatitis B
Infection Control in Dentistry and its Connection to Hepatitis B Hepatitis B, a major cause of liver damage and liver cancer, is a silent epidemic worldwide. It is a bloodborne infection that is commonly transmitted through blood and sexual fluids. In the dental office, it is mostly transmitted via blood. It is vital to ensure infection control practices are being followed during dental procedures such as cleanings, extractions, injections, root canals, and surgical procedures to reduce the incidence of hepatitis B. According to a study from the Department of Periodontology and Endodontics at the State University of New York at Buffalo, unvaccinated dental health care workers have a 10 times greater risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B compared to the average citizen because of possible occupational exposure.[1] The CDC recommends that all health care providers, including those working in dentistry, be vaccinated to protect them. Patients can also play a role by ensuring that they are vaccinated as well. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and protects for a lifetime! The transmission of hepatitis B in dental surgery can also be prevented by the routine exercise of good clinical hygiene. The dental clinic must properly and routinely dispose of needles, sterilize instruments, and comply with all standard precautions (e.g., wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and disinfecting all equipment and surfaces after each patient) for all patients. In the 2016 update of Transmission of blood-borne pathogens in US dental health care settings, the authors identified lapses in infection prevention practices and failure to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations as the major causes behind breakouts of hepatitis B in dental settings (see CDC guidelines for the United States here).[2] Examples of lapses included the failure to heat-sterilize handpieces between patients, a lack of training for interns/personnel,
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Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
Yes, the hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. In fact, it is the first “anti-cancer vaccine” because it can protect you from hepatitis B, which is the cause of 60% of all liver cancer in the world. It only takes 3 shots to protect yourself and those you love against hepatitis B for a lifetime. if you live in the United States and are 18 years old or older, there is a 2-dose vaccine available. Ask your doctor about the right vaccine type for you. With more than one billion doses given throughout the world, medical and scientific studies have shown the hepatitis B vaccine to be one of the safest vaccines ever made. Find more Frequently Asked Questions here. Page updated 05/09/2022
https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/faqs/is-the-hepatitis-b-vaccine-safe/ -
Home
A national nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for people affected by hepatitis B worldwide The Hepatitis B Foundation is working on every front to improve the lives of people living with hepatitis B.
https://www.hepb.org/ -
Edwin's Story
Edwin contracted hepatitis B through exposure to blood from his mother during childbirth. Even though he knew she had hepatitis B, he grew up not understanding the serious effects the virus could have on his health. In 2017, during a routine check-up, his doctor informed that his liver was damaged, and that he needed to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise regularly to prevent cirrhosis. Resolved, Edwin changed his diet, started running, and lost 35 pounds over the following year. Now he trains for and competes in Ironman triathlons to raise awareness and funds to find a hepatitis B cure.
https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/patient-story-telling-project/edwins-story/ -
Hep B United Coalition
Elimination of hepatitis B is the ultimate goal of the Hepatitis B Foundation and the focus of our public health programs. To achieve this goal, we have developed successful community-based programs to increase vaccination, screening and linkage to care to stop the spread of hepatitis B, and established a national coalition of groups working on the issues across America. NEWS: CDC awards $1.375 million, 5-year grant to Hepatitis B Foundation for expansion of Hep B United About Hep B United HBF, in partnership with AAPCHO (Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations), created and co-chairs Hep B United, a national coalition of 30+ member coalitions in 29 cities and 23 states, that are working to address hepatitis B in their local communities. With our leadership, Hep B United members are finding success in bringing together key stakeholders such as community-based organizations, healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics, state and local health departments, student groups, and elected officials and community leaders to increase HBV awareness, screening, vaccination and linkage to care in high-risk communities. Hep B United is also proud to be an official partner of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is co-branded with its Know Hepatitis B campaign, their first national multi-lingual awareness campaign on hepatitis B. To learn more about Hep B United, visit www.hepbunited.org.
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Kat's Story
Kat’s father has hepatitis B, but nobody in the family is willing to talk about it. For years, they weren’t allowed to share the same chopsticks or eat dinner with him. As Kat grew older, she learned how hepatitis B is actually spread and shared this information with the family. She also began doing outreach and education to teach other immigrants about how hepatitis B is contracted, and what resources exist for screening and care. Kat's story is available in English and Mandarin. English Mandarin
https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/patient-story-telling-project/kats-story/