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• A Quick Introduction to Public Health Funding in the United States

  Written by Frank Hood- Associate Director of Policy and Partnerships at Hepatitis B Foundation!   The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on why countries need a robustly funded public health system that can respond to the needs of its citizens quickly. In the United States, that public health system is a patchwork of federal, state, and local departments, agencies, and programs. Each has their own rules and regulations, which can be challenging to navigate. You might have a hard time seeing how it all works together without falling apart. And you might struggle to understand how resources can find their way to the local health centers and community-based organizations doing much of the important health work on the ground. This blog post provides a basic overview of how public health funding works within the United States.  Hundreds of federal departments, agencies, and programs funnel money into the public health system of the United States. One of the more familiar organizations is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among its many health-related functions, HHS handles disease prevention and outbreak response through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and provides health coverage for underserved and older Americans through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Other departments like the Department of Agriculture (USDA) may not seem like a key source of health funding, and yet support dietary health initiatives and help states build rural medical facilities through infrastructure investment programs. The amount of funding these departments, agencies, and programs receive varies yearly. Some funding, like for Medicare and Medicaid, doesn’t require an annual vote from Congress (known as “mandatory spending” in policy-speak) and is just paid for as expenses are incurred. Other funding, like for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), requires a yearly vote of Congress as well as sign-off by

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/quick-introduction-public-health-funding-united-states/
• Celebrating Hepatitis Awareness Month with a State Hepatitis Elimination Plan

  In Pennsylvania, the Hepatitis B Foundation is collaborating with various stakeholders to launch a State Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan! Join us as we document our process from start to finish!

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/making-state-viral-hepatitis-elimination-plan/
• Beating the Odds: A Liver Cancer Survivor's Story

  Liver cancer, caused by hepatitis B and C, is on the rise in the U.S. and it is also the second deadliest. Fewer than 15 percent of patients with liver cancer will survive five years after their diagnosis. It is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths among Asian-Americans and the eighth-leading cause of cancer deaths among Caucasian-Americans. Despite this bleak outlook, there are people with liver cancer who are beating the odds and surviving. The medical community is also working hard to develop new drugs and effective strategies to treat liver cancer. Here is one survivor's story. By Frank Gardea Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net In late 2008, during routine testing before surgery, I found out I had hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. It was a double whammy because having both viral hepatitis and cirrhosis put me at high risk for liver cancer. Then the abdominal pain started. I suffered for almost three years and was in and out of the emergency department. They could not pinpoint the cause of the pain. When they finally diagnosed my liver cancer, the tumor was over 8 cm in size. I was of course angry. Why didn’t they catch my cancer earlier? I was hospitalized for over a week and then referred to the oncology department. That’s when they told me, “You have three months to live.” I was not a candidate for a liver transplant and one of the doctors didn’t even want to give me a referral to a hepatologist because she thought I was too far gone.  I went home and binge-watched YouTube videos on liver cancer. I found out that far too often, by the time liver cancer is diagnosed, it’s too late. Another doctor later referred me to UCLA, one of the top liver cancer centers in the country. At my first appointment at the liver cancer center, I saw Dr. Richard Finn, a leading liver cancer expert, who was part of a team of health care professionals taking care of me. They never once said I was beyond hope. The following week,

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/beating-the-odds-a-liver-cancer-survivors-story/

• 一般信息  什么是乙型肝炎?乙型肝炎是世界上最常见的肝脏感染。它是由乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV) 引起的，该病毒会攻击和伤害肝脏。它通过血液、无保护性行为、共用或重复使用的针头传播，在怀孕或分娩期间由受感染的母亲传染给新生婴儿。大多数感染的成年人能够毫无问题地消除乙型肝炎病毒。然而，一些成年人和大多数受感染的婴儿和儿童无法消除这种病毒，并将发展为慢性（终生）感染。 好消息是已有安全的疫苗可以预防乙型肝炎感染，和针对已感染人士的新治疗方法。 有多少人受乙型肝炎影响？全世界 20 亿人（3 人中就有 1 人）已感染乙型肝炎；2.57 亿人为慢性感染（这意味着他们无法消除这种病毒）。据估计，每年有 70 万人死于乙型肝炎及其并发症。 为什么乙型肝炎在世界某些地区更常见？乙型肝炎可以感染任何年龄或种族的任何人，但是来自世界上乙型肝炎较为常见的部分地区（如亚洲、非洲和南美洲部分地区、东欧以及中东）的人，受感染的风险要高得多。出生（或其父母出生）在这些地区的美国人中，乙型肝炎也较为常见。 乙型肝炎在世界上某些地区更为常见，因为在这些地区有更多的人已经感染乙型肝炎。虽然乙型肝炎并非“亚洲疾病”或者“非洲疾病”，但它影响着来自这些地区的数亿人——因此，这里有更多的人会将乙型肝炎病毒传给他人。这增加了您受感染的风险。因为有较小一部分的受感染者为西方人，这一群体的感染风险较低。 在乙型肝炎较为常见的地区，人们通常在新生儿时期就受到感染——在分娩过程中由母亲不知不觉地将病毒传给婴儿。如果幼儿与受感染的家庭成员在日常生活中接触密切，他们也面临风险。婴儿和儿童更容易发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染，因为他们未成熟的免疫系统难以消除这种病毒。 如果您，或者您的家人，来自地图上的深蓝色区域，您可能会面临更大的乙型肝炎感染风险，并且应该和医生谈谈关于接受测试的事宜。 为什么我应该关心乙型肝炎？慢性乙型肝炎可以导致严重的肝脏疾病，如肝硬化或肝癌。接受测试十分重要，因为早期的诊断可以使您尽早治疗，从而可以挽救您的生命。另外，感染者可以将病毒传播给其他人。因为大多数人不知道自己受感染，所以他们会不知不觉地将之传播给其他许多人。如果人们不接受测试，乙型肝炎病毒可以在一个家庭的几代人和整个社区中传播下去。 一个常见误区是，乙肝可以“遗传”，因为一个家族中几代人可能都受感染。但乙型肝炎不是遗传性疾病——乙型肝炎是由病毒引起的，通常因母婴传播或者意外的居家血液接触而在家庭成员之间传播。通过接受测试、接种疫苗和治疗，家庭可以打破乙型肝炎感染的循环。 为什么乙型肝炎如此危险？乙型肝炎有危险，因为它是一种“无声的感染”，可以使人不知不觉地受到感染。大多数乙型肝炎感染者未觉察自己感染，会不知不觉地通过自己的血液和已感染的体液将病毒传给他人。对于那些慢性感染者，在以后的生活中，发展为肝功能衰竭、肝硬化和/或肝癌的风险会增加。该病毒可以悄无声息、持续不断地长年攻击肝脏而不被发觉。 什么是急性乙型肝炎？急性乙型肝炎感染可持续多达六个月（有症状或无症状），感染者可在此期间将病毒传给他人。 急性感染的症状可能包括食欲减退、关节和肌肉疼痛、低烧和可能胃痛。虽然大多数人不会体验到症状，但症状会在感染后的 60-150 天出现，平均为 3 个月。有些人可能出现更严重的症状，如恶心、呕吐、黄疸（眼睛和皮肤发黄），或者胃胀，这些可能导致他们去看卫生保健提供者。 仅需简单的验血即可辨别一个人的血液中是否存在乙型肝炎病毒。如果您已被诊断为急性乙型肝炎，医生需要在 6 个月后再次测试您的血液，以确定您是已康复，还是发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染。在您的卫生保健提供者确认您的验血表明您的血液中不再存有乙型肝炎病毒之前，保护其他人避免感染可能性是十分重要的。让您的性伴侣和家庭成员（或与您密切接触的家属）接受乙型肝炎测试也是十分重要的。如果他们尚未受感染，而且尚未接受乙型肝炎疫苗接种，那么他们就应该开始注射乙型肝炎疫苗系列。 急性乙型肝炎患者不会被建议采用特定的乙型肝炎治疗方法——没有可以消除急性乙型肝炎感染的治疗方法，而且大多数人在成年时期受到感染，可自行痊愈。有时，症状严重者可能会住院接受一般支持。休息和控制症状是这一医疗保健的主要目标。一种名为“暴发型肝炎”的罕见、危及生命的病症，会伴随新的急性感染出现，并且需要立即、紧急的医疗护理，因为患者可能会突然出现肝衰竭。 急性乙型肝炎感染期间照顾您的肝脏的简单技巧就是要避免酒精，停止或限制吸烟，食用健康食物，避免油腻或高脂肪的食物，以及与您的卫生保健提供者谈论您正在服用的任何药物（处方药、非处方药物、维生素或草药补充剂），以确保它们对您的肝脏是安全的。您如有任何其他疑问，这是提问的好时机。使用维生素和肝脏健康补充剂可能不会帮助您恢复健康，实际上对肝脏的影响可能弊大于利。 务必去您的卫生保健提供者处复诊，以接受确认您是否从急性感染中恢复所需的任何其他验血。 什么是慢性乙型肝炎？乙型肝炎病毒测试呈阳性超过六个月者（在其首次验血结果之后）被诊断为患慢性感染。这意味着他们的免疫系统无法消除乙型肝炎病毒，而且该病毒仍然存在于他们的血液和肝脏中。已有治疗和控制慢性感染的有效方法，但是没有治愈方法。如果您是慢性感染者，很可能在您的余生中病毒都会留在您的血液里。 慢性乙型肝炎患者会不知不觉地将病毒传给他人。慢性乙型肝炎也可以导致严重的肝脏疾病，如肝硬化或肝癌。并非每位慢性感染者都会发展为严重的肝脏疾病。然而，他们的可能性比未感染者更大。 发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染的风险与首次感染乙型肝炎病毒的年龄有关： 90% 受感染的新生儿和婴儿会发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染 高达 50% 受感染的儿童（1-5 岁）会发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染 5%-10% 受感染的成年人会发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染（即，90% 会恢复） 获悉自己患有慢性乙型肝炎感染会非常令人沮丧。因为大多数人没有症状，并在他们最初接触乙型肝炎病毒后数十年被诊断出来，所以被诊断为患有慢性乙型肝炎感染会令人感到震惊和意外。好消息是，大多数慢性乙型肝炎患者预计会活得健康长寿。 受感染的孕妇可以在分娩期间将病毒传给新生儿。因此，由于新生儿在出生时患慢性感染的风险很高，世界卫生组织 (WHO) 和美国疾病控制和预防中心 (CDC) 建议，所有婴儿在出生后 12-24 小时内接受首剂乙型肝炎疫苗接种。如果您已怀孕并且您知道自己受感染，则您可以确保您的宝宝在分娩后的 12-24 小时内接受首剂乙型肝炎疫苗接种！ 尽管慢性乙型肝炎感染没有治愈方法，但已有有效的药物疗法可以控制乙型肝炎病毒并阻止它损害肝脏。还有处于研究阶段的有前景新药，可以在不久的将来提供治愈方法。尽管慢性乙型肝炎患者发展为严重肝病或肝癌的风险高于未感染者，但仍有许多简单的事情可以帮助降低他们的风险。 每六个月（或至少每年）安排一次与乙型肝炎知识渊博的肝脏专家或卫生保健提供者的定期就诊，以便他们可以监测您的肝脏健康。 与您的卫生保健提供者讨论您的慢性乙型肝炎感染治疗是否有助于预防严重的肝脏疾病或肝癌。 确保您的卫生保健提供者在您的定期就诊期间对您进行肝癌筛查，因为早发现等同于治疗选择更多和生命更长久。 避免或限制酒精和吸烟，因为二者都会对您的肝脏造成巨大压力。 合理健康饮食，吃大量蔬菜，因为油炸、油腻的食物会苛待您的肝脏。 成为“慢性携带者”意味着什么？当某人患有慢性乙型肝炎感染时，他们的医生可能会称其为“慢性携带者”。作为“慢性携带者”意味着您患有慢性乙型肝炎感染，可以将病毒传给他人，并且您应该由医生来控制您的感染。 乙型肝炎有治愈方法吗？大多数成年人无需药物治疗，急性感染即可自行痊愈。对于发展为慢性乙型肝炎感染的成年人、儿童和婴儿，目前没有治愈方法。但好消息是，有一些治疗方法可以通过使病毒减速来帮助减缓慢性感染者的肝病进展。如果产生的乙型肝炎病毒较少，那么对肝脏的损伤就会较少。 凭着所有令人振奋的新研究，有很大希望在不久的将来找到慢性乙型肝炎的治愈方法。访问我们的 Drug Watch（药品观察 获取研发中的其他有前景药物的清单。治疗我的乙型肝炎有哪些选择？对于急性感染，除了休息和支持性措施来控制任何症状外，一般没有其他治疗方法。 对于慢性乙型肝炎，有几种可用的治疗方法。重要的是要了解并非每位慢性乙型肝炎患者都需要治疗。您的医生会帮助您决定您是需要药物治疗，还是可以等待并监控您的病情。 有几种抗病毒药物可以减缓或阻止乙型肝炎病毒的复制，从而减少肝脏炎症和损伤。这些抗病毒药物为丸剂，每天服用一次，疗程至少 1 年，通常更久。目前有 6 种经美国 FDA 批准的抗病毒药物，但是只有 3 种“一线”抗病毒药物获得推荐：替诺福韦酯（Viread/TDF）、替诺福韦艾拉酚胺（Vemlidy/TAF）和恩替卡韦（Baraclude）。推荐使用一线抗病毒药物，因为它们更安全、最有效。对一线抗病毒治疗无应答或无法获取一线抗病毒治疗的患者可使用其他选择：替比夫定（Tyzeka，Sebivo）、阿德福韦酯（Hepsera）和拉米夫定（Epivir-HBV，Zeffix，Heptodin）。 尽管 FDA 已经批准这些用于慢性乙型肝炎的抗病毒药物，但它们不能提供彻底治愈。然而，它们可以大大减少发展肝损伤和肝癌的风险。抗病毒药物不能随意停止和开始，这就是在开始治疗慢性乙型肝炎之前需要由知识渊博的医生进行彻底评估是如此重要的缘由。 还有免疫调节药可以增强免疫系统，以帮助控制乙型肝炎病毒。它们在 6 个月至 1 年的时间里以注射方式给药。最常见的处方药物包括干扰素 alfa-2b (Intron A) 和聚乙二醇干扰素 (Pegasys)。 您和您的医生在决定哪种治疗选择（若有的话）最适合您之前需要讨论各种治疗选择。对许多人来说，这些药物会减少或阻止乙型肝炎病毒。这导致病人在数月内感觉良好，这是因为病毒对肝脏的损伤有所减缓，或者经长期服用后甚至在某些情况下出现逆转。 如需获取经 FDA 批准的药物和其他处于研发中的有前景药物的完整清单，请访问我们的 Drug Watch（药品观察。   General Information What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is the world's most common liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks and injures the liver. It is transmitted through blood, unprotected sex, shared or re-used needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery. Most infected adults are able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus without any problems. However, some adults and most infected babies and children are unable to get rid of the virus and will develop chronic (life-long) infection. The good news is that there is a safe vaccine to prevent a hepatitis B infection and new treatments for those already infected with hepatitis B. How many people are affected by hepatitis B?Worldwide, 2 billion people (1 out of 3 people) have been infected with hepatitis B; and 257 million people are chronically infected (which means they are unable to get rid of the virus). An estimated 700,000 people die each year from hepatitis B and its complications. Why is hepatitis B more common in some parts of the world?Hepatitis B can infect any person of any age or ethnicity, but people from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, are at much higher risk for getting infected. Hepatitis B is also common among Americans who were born (or whose parents were born) in these regions. Hepatitis B is more common in certain regions of the world because there are so many more people already infected with hepatitis B in these regions. Although hepatitis B is not an "Asian disease" or an “African disease,” it affects hundreds of millions of people from these regions – so there are more people who can pass the hepatitis B virus on to others. This increases the risk that you could get infected. Since there is a smaller number of Westerners who are infected, this group has a lower risk of infection. In regions where hepatitis B is common, people are usually infected as newborns - from a mother who unknowingly passes the virus to her baby during delivery. Young children are also at risk if they live in close daily contact with an infected family member. Babies and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection because their young immune systems have trouble getting rid of the virus. If you, or your family, is from an area of the map that is darker blue, you might be at greater risk for hepatitis B infection and should talk to a doctor about getting tested. Why should I be concerned about hepatitis B?Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. It's important to get tested because early diagnosis can lead to early treatment which can save your life. Also, people who are infected can spread the virus to others. Since most people don't know they are infected, they are unknowingly spreading it to many other people. If people are not tested, hepatitis B can pass through several generations in one family and throughout the community. One common myth is that hepatitis B can be "inherited" since several generations in one family may be infected. But hepatitis B is NOT a genetic disease -- hepatitis B is caused by a virus, which is often transmitted among family members due to mother-to-child transmission or accidental household exposure to blood. Families can break the cycle of hepatitis B infection by getting tested, vaccinated and treated. Why is hepatitis B so dangerous?Hepatitis B is dangerous because it is a “silent infection” that can infect people without them knowing it. Most people who are infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and can unknowingly pass the virus to others through their blood and infected bodily fluids. For those who become chronically infected, there is an increased risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer later in life. The virus can quietly and continuously attack the liver over many years without being detected. What is acute hepatitis B?An acute hepatitis B infection may last up to six months (with or without symptoms) and infected persons are able to pass the virus to others during this time. Symptoms of an acute infection may include loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever, and possible stomach pain. Although most people do not experience symptoms, they can appear 60-150 days after infection, with the average being 3 months. Some people may experience more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), or a bloated stomach that may cause them to see a health care provider. A simple blood test can tell a person if the hepatitis B virus is in their blood. If you have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis B, the doctor will need to test your blood again in 6 months to figure out if you have recovered, or if you have developed a chronic hepatitis B infection. Until your health care provider confirms that your blood test shows that there is no more hepatitis B virus in your blood, it is important to protect others from a possible infection. It is also important to have your sexual partner(s) and family members (or those you live in close household contact with) tested for hepatitis B. If they have not been infected – and have not received the hepatitis B vaccine – then they should start the hepatitis B vaccine series. People who have acute hepatitis B are not prescribed specific hepatitis B treatment – there is no treatment that will get rid of an acute hepatitis B infection, and most people infected as adults recover on their own. Sometimes, a person with severe symptoms may be hospitalized for general support. Rest and managing symptoms are the primary goals of this medical care. A rare, life-threatening condition called “fulminant hepatitis” can occur with a new acute infection and requires immediate, urgent medical attention since a person can go into sudden liver failure. Simple tips for taking care of your liver during an acute hepatitis B infection are to avoid alcohol, stop or limit smoking, eat healthy foods, avoid greasy or fatty foods, and talk to your health care provider about any medications you are taking (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements) to make sure they are safe for your liver. This is a good time to ask any other questions you may have. The use of vitamins and liver health supplements will likely not assist your recovery and may actually cause more harm than good to the liver. Be sure to follow-up with your health care provider for any additional blood tests that are needed to confirm your recovery from an acute infection. What is chronic hepatitis B?People who test positive for the hepatitis B virus for more than six months (after their first blood test result) are diagnosed as having a chronic infection. This means their immune system was not able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus and it still remains in their blood and liver. There are effective ways to treat and manage a chronic infection, but there is no cure. If you are chronically infected, the virus will likely remain in your blood for the rest of your life. People who have chronic hepatitis B can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Chronic hepatitis B can also lead to serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Not every person who is chronically infected will develop serious liver disease. However, they have a greater chance than someone who is not infected.The risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection is related to the age at which one first becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus: 90% of infected newborns and babies will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection Up to 50% of infected children (1-5 years) will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection 5-10% of infected adults will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection (that is, 90% will recover) Learning that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection can be very upsetting. Because most people do not have symptoms and can be diagnosed decades after their initial exposure to the hepatitis B virus, it can be a shock and a surprise to be diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B infection. The good news is that most people with chronic hepatitis B should expect to live a long and healthy life. Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their newborns during childbirth. Therefore, since the risk of newborns becoming chronically infected at birth is high, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all infants receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after birth. If you are pregnant and you know that you are infected, you can make sure that your baby gets the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after delivery! While there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, there are effective drug therapies that can control the hepatitis B virus and stop it from damaging the liver. There are also promising new drugs in the research phase that could provide a cure in the very near future. Although the risk of developing a serious liver disease or liver cancer is higher for those living with chronic hepatitis B than those who are not infected, there are still many simple things a person can do to help reduce their risk. Schedule regular visits every six months (or at least every year) with a liver specialist or a health care provider who is knowledgeable about hepatitis B so they can monitor the health of your liver. Talk to your health care provider about whether treatment for your chronic hepatitis B infection would be helpful in preventing serious liver disease or liver cancer. Make sure that your health care provider screens you for liver cancer during your regular visits since early detection equals more treatment options and a longer life. Avoid or limit alcohol and smoking since both cause a lot of stress to your liver. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables since fried, greasy foods are hard on your liver. What does it mean to be a “chronic carrier”?When someone has a chronic hepatitis B infection, their doctor may refer to them as being a “chronic carrier.” Being a “chronic carrier” means that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection, can pass the virus on to others, and you should be managed by a doctor for your infection. Is there a cure for hepatitis B?Most adults will recover from an acute infection on their own without the need for medication. For adults, children and infants who develop a chronic hepatitis B infection, there is currently no cure. But the good news is there are treatments that can help slow the progression of liver disease in chronically infected persons by slowing down the virus. If there is less hepatitis B virus being produced, then there is less damage being done to the liver. With all of the new exciting research, there is great hope that a cure will be found for chronic hepatitis B in the near future. Visit our Drug Watch for a list of other promising drugs in development. What options are there to treat my hepatitis B?For an acute infection, there is generally no treatment other than rest and supportive measures to manage any symptoms. For chronic hepatitis B, there are several treatments available. It is important to understand that not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. Your doctor will help you decide if you need medication or if you can wait and monitor your condition. There are several antiviral medications that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These antivirals are taken as a pill once a day for at least 1 year, usually longer. There are 6 U.S. FDA approved antivirals, but only three “first-line” antivirals are recommended: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. For people who do not respond to, or have access to, the first-line antiviral treatments, other options are available: telbivudine (Tyzeka, Sebivo), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), and lamivudine (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin). Although the FDA has approved these antivirals for chronic hepatitis B, they do not provide a complete cure. They can, however, greatly decrease the risk of developing liver damage and liver cancer. Antivirals are not meant to be stopped and started, which is why a thorough evaluation by a knowledgeable doctor is so important before beginning treatment for chronic hepatitis B. There are also immunomodulator drugs that boost the immune system to help control the hepatitis B virus. They are given as injections over 6 months to 1 year. The most commonly prescribed include interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) and pegylated interferon (Pegasys). You and your doctor will need to discuss the treatment options before deciding which one, if any, is best for you. For many people, these medications will decrease or stop the hepatitis B virus. This results in patients feeling better within a few months because liver damage from the virus is slowed down, or even reversed in some cases, when taken long-term. For a complete list of FDA approved drugs and other promising drugs in development for hepatitis B, visit our Drug Watch.  

  https://www.hepb.org/languages/chinese-simplified/general-info/

• አጠቃላይ መረጃ   ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምንድን ነው? ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በዓለም ላይ በብዛት ጉበትን ከጥቅም ውጭ የሚያደርግ ነው፡፡ የሚመጣውም ሄፓታይተስ ቢ (HBV) በሚባል ቫይረስ ሲሆን ቫይረሱ ጉበትን በማጥቃት ጉዳት ያደርሳል፡፡ የሚተላለፈው በደም፣ ጥንቃቄ በጎደለው የግብረ ስጋ ግንኙነት፣ መርፌዎችን በመጋራት ወይም ድጋሚ በመጠቀም እንዲሁም በበሽታው ከተያዘች እናት ወደ ልጅ በእርግዝና ወይም በወሊድ ወቅት ነው፡፡ በርካታ በበሽታው የተያዙ ጎልማሶች ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ያለምንም ችግር ከሰውነታቸው እንዲወገድ ማድረግ ችለዋል፡፡ ነገር ግን አንዳንድ ጎልማሶች እና በበሽታው በጣም የተጠቁ ህፃናት እና ታዳጊዎች ቫይረሱን ከሰውነታቸው ማስወጣት አለመቻላቸውን ተከትሎ በፀና ህመም ውስጥ ገብተዋል፡፡ መልካሙ ዜና ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ለመከላከል አስተማማኝ ክትባት መኖሩ ሲሆን፤ ሌላው ደግሞ ቀድሞውኑ በሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለተጠቁት በአዲስ መልኩ ህክምና መደረጉ ነው፡፡  በሄፓታይተስ ቢ የተጠቁት ሰዎች ምን ያህል ናቸው? በመላው ዓለም 2 ቢሊየን ሰዎች (ከ3 ሰዎች መካከል1) በሄፓታይተስ ቢ የተጠቁ ሲሆን 257 ሚሊየን የሚሆኑት ሰዎች ደግሞ በፀና የታመሙ ናቸው፡፡ (ይህም ማለት ቫይረሱን ከሰውነታቸው ማስወገድ አይቻልም) በሄፓታይተስና ከእሱ ጋር በተያያዘ 700,000 የሚጠጉ ሰዎች በየዓመቱ ለህልፈት ይዳረጋሉ፡፡ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በአንዳንድ የዓለም ክፍሎች ለምን በብዛት ይከሰታል? ሄፓታይተስ ቢ የእድሜ እና የብሄር ልዩነት ሳያደርግ ሁሉንም ሰው ሊይዝ ይችላል፤ ነገር ግን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በብዛት በሚከሰትባቸው ከተወሰኑ የዓለም ክፍሎች ያሉ ሰዎች ማለትም እንደ ኤሲያ፣ የአፍሪካ የተወሰኑ ክፍሎች፣ ደቡብ አሜሪካ፣ ምዕራብ አውሮፓ እና መካከለኛው ምስራቅ በበሽታው የመያዝ እድላቸው በእጅጉ ከፍ ያለ ነው፡፡ በነዚህ ቦታዎች በተወለዱ አሜሪካውያን (ወይም ቤተሰቦቻቸው በተወለዱት) ላይ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በብዛት ይከሰታል፡፡ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በተወሰኑ የኣለማችን ክፍሎች ላይ በብዛት የተለመደ ሲሆን፤ ለዚህ ደግሞ በምክንያትነት የሚጠቀሰው በቦታዎቹ ላይ ቀደም ብለው በሄፓታይተስ ቢ የተጠቁ ብዙ ሰዎች መኖራቸው ነው፡፡ ምንም እንኳን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ "የኤስያውን በሽታ" ወይም "የአፍሪካውያን በሽታ" ባይሆንም ከነዚህ ቦታዎች በመቶ ሚሊዮን የሚቆጠሩ ሰዎችን የበከለ ሲሆን፣ ይህን ተከትሎም በርካታ ቁጥር ያላቸው ሰዎችም የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስን ወደሌሎች እንዲተላለፍ ምክንያት ሊሆኑ ይችላሉ፡፡ ስጋቱ በጨመረ ቁጥር በቫይረሱ ሊያዙ ይችላሉ፡፡ በቫይረሱ የተያዙ ምዕራባውያን ቁጥር ማነሱን ተከትሎ፣ ይህ ቡድንያለው የመያዝ እድሉ ዝቅ ያለ ነው፡፡ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በብዛት በሚታይባቸው አካባቢዎች ያሉ ሰዎች በብዛት የሚያዙት በወሊድ ጊዜ ማለትም እናቶች ሲወልዱ ባለማወቅ ቫይረሱ ወደ ልጃቸው ይተላለፋል፡፡ ታዳጊ ህፃናት የሚኖሩት ቫይረሱ ካለበት የቤተሰቡ አባል ጋር በየቀኑ የቀረበ ግንኙነት የሚደርጉ ከሆነ የመያዝ እድል አላቸው፡፡ ህፃናትና ታዳጊዎች በሄፓታይተስ ቢ ከሌሎች በበለጠ በከፍተኛ ደረጃ ይጠቃሉ፤ ለዚህም ምክንያቱ ብዙም ያልጠነከረው በሽታን የመከላከል አቅማቸው ቫይረሱን ለማስወገድ ስለሚቸገር ነው፡፡ እርስዎ አሊያም የእርስዎ ቤተሰብ በካርታው ላይ በጥቁር ሰማያዊ የመጡ ከሆነ በሄፓታይተስ ቢ የመያዝ እድልዎ በእጅጉ ከፍ ያለ ስለሚሆን ምርመራ ለማድረግ ዶክተሮችን ማናገር አለብዎ፡፡   ስለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለምንድን ነው ትኩረት መስጠት ያለብኝ?ስር የሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ የከፋ የጉበት ህመምን ማለትም እንደ ሰርሆሲስ ወይም የጉበት ካንሰርን ያስከትላል፡፡ ምርመራ ማድረግ ጠቃሚ ነው፤ ምክንያቱም ቀድሞ ምርመራ ማድረግ ቀድሞ ህክምና ለማግኘትና የግለሰቡንም ህይወት ለማዳን ያግዛል፡፡ በቫይረሱ የተያዙ ሰዎች ቫይረሱን ወደ ሌሎች ያስተላልፋሉ፡፡ በርካቶች አለመያዛቸውን ባለማወቃቸው የተነሳ፣ ሳያውቁ ቫይረሱን ወደ ብዙ ሰዎች ያስተላልፋሉ፡፡ ሰዎች ምርመራ ካላደረጉ በአንድ ቤተሰብ ውስጥ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ወደ ተለያየ ትውልድ ብሎም ማህበረሰብ የሚተላለፍ ነው፡፡ በአንድ ቤተሰብ ውስጥ ያሉ የተለያዩ ትውልዶች መያዛቸውን ተከትሎ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ "በመወለድ የሚመጣ ነው" የሚል አንድ የተለመደ አባባል አለ፡፡ ነገር ግን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ በዘር የሚመጣ በሽታ አይደለም፣ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ የሚመጣው በቫይረስ፣ እንዲሁም በብዛት በቤተሰብ አባላት መካከል ከእናት ወደ ልጅ ወይም በድንገተኛ አጋጣሚ በተፈጠረ የደም ንክኪ ነው፡፡ ቤተሰቦች በሄፓታይተስ ቢ የመያያ ኡደትን በመመርመር፣ ክትባት በመከተብ እና ህክምና በመከታተል ማስቆም ይችላሉ፡፡ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለምንድን ነው እጅግ አደገኛ የሆነው? ሄፓታይተስ ቢ አደገኛ ነው፤ ምክንያቱም "ዝምተኛው በካይ" በመሆኑ ሰዎች ምንም ነገር ሳያውቁ ስለሚይዛቸው ነው፡፡  በሄፓታተስ ቢ የተያዙ በርካታ ሰዎች ስለመያዛቸው አለማወቃቸውን ተከትሎ ቫይረሱንበደማቸው እና በሌሎች በተበከሉ የሰውነታቸው ፈሳሾች ወደ ሌሎች ያዛምታሉ፡፡ በፀና የታመሙት ጉበታቸው ስራ የማቆም ስጋት እንዲሁም በስተመጨረሻም ሲርሆሲስ ወይም የጉበት ካንሰር የመከሰታቸው እድል ይጨምራል፡፡ ቫይረሱ ለብዙ ዓመታት ድምፁን አጥፍቶ ሳይለይ ከቆየ በጊዜ ሂደት በተከታታይ ዓመታት በጉበት ላይ ጉዳት ያደርሳል፡፡  በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ያለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምንድን ነው? የበመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ላይ ያለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ እስከ ስድስት ወር (በምልክት ወይም ያለ ምልክት) ድረስ ያለውን ጊዜ የሚመለከት ሲሆን በዚሁ ጊዜም የተያዘው ግለሰብ ቫይረሱን ወደ ሌሎች ማስተላለፍ ይችላል፡፡ በጅማሮ ደረጃ ላይ ያለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምልክቶች የምግብ ፍላጎት ማጣት፣ የመገጣጠሚያ እና ጡንቻ ህመም፣ ዝቅተኛ መጠን ያለው ትኩሳት እና የጨጓራ ህመምም ሊኖር ይችላል፡፡ ምንም እንኳን በርካታ ሰዎች ላይ ምልክቱ ባይታይም፣ በቫይረሱ ከተያዙ ከ60-150 ቀናት በኋላ ቫይረሱ ሊገኝባቸው የሚችል ሲሆን፤ ይህም በአማካይ 3 ወር ማለት ነው፡፡ አንዳንድ ሰዎች ጠንከር ያሉ ምልክቶች የሚታይባቸው ሲሆን ከነዚህም ውስጥ ንፍጥ፣ ማስመለስ፣ ጃውንዳይስ (የዓይን እና ቆዳ ቢጫ መሆን) አሊያም የጨጓራ መነፋት ሲሆኑ፣ ወደ ጤና ባለሙያ እንዲሄዱ ምክንያት ይሆናል፡፡ ቀላል የሚባል የደም ምርመራ ለአንድ ግለሰብ በደም ውስጥ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስ ስለመኖሩ ሊነግረው ይችላል፡፡ በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ላለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምርመራ አድርገው ከሆነ ከ6 ወራት በኋላ ዶክተሩ በድጋሚ ደሞትን በመመርመር እንደተሻለዎት አሊያም ሄፓታይተስ ቢ እንደፀናብዎት ማረጋገጥ አለበት፡፡ የጤና ድጋፍ ባለሙያው በደሞት ውስጥ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስ አለመኖሩን እስኪያረጋግጥልዎት ድረስ ወደሌሎች ላለማስተላለፍ ጥረት ማድረግ አለብዎት፡፡ የወሲብ አጋርዎ (አጋርዎችዎ) እና የቤተሰብ አባላት (በአንድ ቤት ውስጥ በጋራ የምትኖሩ) የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምርመራ ማድረግ አለባቸው፡፡ ምናልባትም በቫይረሱ ያልተያዙ ከሆኑ እና የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ክትባት ያልወሰዱ ከሆኑ ክትባቱን በተከታታይ መውሰድ አለባቸው፡፡    በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ላለባቸው ሰዎች የሚሰጥ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ህክምና የለም፡፡ በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ያለውን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለማስወገድ የሚደረግ ህክምና ስለሌለ የተያዙ ጎልማሶች በራሳቸው ጊዜ ይሻላቸዋል፡፡ አንዳንዴ ምልክቶቹ በፀና የሚታይበት ህመምተኛ ለአጠቃላይ ድጋፍ ሲባል ህክምና ሊደረግለት ይችላል፡፡ እረፍት እንዲያገኙ ማድረግ እና ምልክቶቹን መቆጣጠር የዚህ ህክምና ቀዳሚ ግቦች ናቸው፡፡ አልፎ አልፎ የሚከሰት፣ ህይወትን አደጋ ውስጥ የሚከተው “ፉልሚናንት ሄፓታይተስ”በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ የቫይረሱ መያዝ ወቅት ሊከሰት የሚችል ሲሆን፤ ይህም ግለሰቡን ለድንገተኛ የጉበት ስራ ማቆም ሊዳርገው ስለሚችል ወዲያውኑ በፍጥነት ፈጣን የህክምና እርዳታ እንዲያገኝ መደረግ አለበት፡፡ በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ላለ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምልክቶች ጠቃሚ ከሆኑት ምክሮች መካከል አልኮልን አለመጠቀም፣ ሲጋራን አለማጨስ ወይም መቀነስ፣ ጤናማ አመጋገብን መከተል፣ ቅባት የበዛባቸውን ምግቦች አለመመገብ፣ ከጤና ባለሙያ ጋር በሚወስዷቸው ማናቸውም መድሀኒቶች ዙሪያ መመካከር (በትዕዛዞች፣ በመድሀኒት አወሳሰድ፣ በሚወስዷቸው ቫይታሚኖችና ሌሎች የባህል መድሀኒቶች ዙሪያ)፡፡ ይህ ያሏችሁን ማናቸውንም ሌሎች ጥያቄዎች ለመጠየቅ ጥሩ ጊዜ ነው፡፡ ቫይታሚኖችን እና በምግብ መልክ የሚወሰዱ መድሀኒቶች መጠቀም እንዳይድኑ ከማድረግ ይልቅ በጉበት ላይ የበለጠ ጉዳት እንዲደርስ ያደርጋሉ፡፡   በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ላይ ካለ የቫይረሱ መያዝ ለመዳን በህክምና ባለሙያ የሚደረግልዎትን ማንኛውንም አይነት የደም ምርመራ በአግባቡ መከታተል አለብዎት፡፡   ስር የሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምንድን ነው? ከስድስት ወር በኋላ (ከመጀመሪያው የደም ምርመራ ውጤት በኋላ) የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስ እንዳለባቸው ያወቁ ሰዎች በሽታው ስር ስለመስደዱ ለማረጋገጥ ምርመራ ማድረግ አለባቸው፡፡ ይህም ማለት የሰውነታቸው በሽታን የመከላከል አቅም የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስን ለማስወገድ ባለመቻሉ በሰውነታቸው በደምና በጉበት ውስጥ እንዲቆይ ይሆናል፡፡ ስር የሰደደን ህመም ለማከምና ለማገዝ የሚደረግ ውጤታማ አሰራር ቢኖርም በሽታውን ግን ማዳን አይቻልም፡፡ በሽታው ስር ከሰደደ በቀሪው የህይወት ዘመንዎ ከቫይረሱ ጋር አብረው ይኖራሉ፡፡ ስር የሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ያለባቸው ሰዎች ባለማወቅ ቫይረሱን ወደ ሌሎች ሰዎች ያስተላልፋሉ፡፡ ስር የሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ወደ ጠነከረ የጉበት ህመም ማለትም ወደ ሰርሆሲስ ወይም የጉበት ካንሰር ያመራል፡፡ በፀና የታመመ ሰው ሁሉ የጠነከረ የጉበት ህመም ይይዘዋል ማለት አይደለም፡፡ ነገር ግን በበሽታው ምንም ካልተያዘው ሰው በበለጠ የመያዝ እድል አለው፡፡ ስር የሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ የመፈጠር እድሉ ግለሰቡ ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ ለቫይረሱ በተጋለጠበት እድሜ ይወሰናል፡፡ 90% በሚሆኑትና በቫይረሱ በሚያዙት አዲስ የተወለዱ ጨቅላ ህፃናት እና ልጆች ላይ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ስር ይሰዳል፡፡ እስከ 50% የሚደርሱትና በቫይረሱ የተያዙ ህፃናት (ከ1-5 ዓመት) ስር ለሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ይዳረጋሉ፡፡ 5-10% የሚሆኑት በቫይረሱ የተያዙ ጎልማሶች ስር ለሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ይጋለጣሉ (ከነዛ ውስጥ 90% ያገግማሉ) ስር የሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ እንዳለ ማወቅ በእጅጉ የሚረብሽ ይሆናል፡፡ ምክንያቱም አብዛኞቹ ሰዎች ምልክቶቹ ባለመታየታቸው ለሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምርመራ የሚያደርጉት በቫይረሱ ከተያዙ ከአስርት አመታት በኋላ በመሆኑ ስር ለሰደደው የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ምርመራ ማድረግ የሚያስደነግጥና የሚያስገርም ሊሆን ይችላል፡፡ መልካም የሚባለው ዜና አብዛኞቹ ስር ከሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ጋር ያሉ ሰዎች ረዥምና ጤናማ ኑሮ እንደሚኖሩ መጠበቅ አለባቸው፡፡ በቫይረሱ የተያዘች ነፍሰ ጡር እናት በወሊድ ወቅት አዲስ ወደተወለደው ልጅዋ ቫይረሱን ልታስተላልፍ ትችላለች፡፡ ስለሆነም አዲስ የሚወለዱት ጨቅላ ህጻናት በወሊድ ወቅት የመያዝ እድላቸው ከፍ ስለሚልና ከተያዙም ስር ስለሚሰድባቸው፣ ዓለም አቀፉ ጤና ድርጅት እና በአሜሪካ የበሽታ መከላከልና መቆጣጠር ማዕከል ሁለቱም ሁሉም ህፃናት እንደተወለዱ በ 12-24 ሰአታት ውስጥ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ክትባትን መውሰድ እንዳለባቸው በጋራ ይመክራሉ፡፡ ነፍሰ ጡር ከሆኑ እና በቫይረሱ መያዝዎትን ካወቁ የወለዱት ልጅዎ በተወለደ ከ12-24 ባሉት ሰዓታት የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ክትባት ማግኘት አለበት፡፡ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ በሽታን ማዳን ባይቻልም የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስን የሚቆጣጠርና በጉበት ላይ ጉዳት እንዳያመጣ የሚስቆም ውጤታማ መድሀኒት አለ፡፡ በጥናት ላይ ያለና ወደፊት በሽታውን ማዳን እንደሚችል ተስፋ የተጣለበት አዲስ መድሀኒት ወደፊት ይመጣል፡፡ ምንም እንኳን ከባድ የጉበት ህመም ወይም የጉበት ካንሰር የመከሰቱ እድል በቫይረሱ ካልተያዙት በበለጠ ስር በሰደደ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ህሙማን ላይ ቢታይም፤ ግለሰቡ ሊተገብራቸው የሚገቡና ችግሩን ለመቀነስ የሚረዱ ቀላል ተግባራት አሉ፡፡ በየስድስት ወሩ (አለበለዚያም በዓመት አንድ ግዜ) የጉበት ስፔሻሊስት ወይም ስለ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ እውቀቱ ወዳለው የጤና ባለሙያ በመሄድ የጉበትዎን ጤንነት ማስመርምር ያስፈልጋል፡፡ ከጤና ባለሙያዎ ጋር ስር ለሰደደው የሄፓታይተስ ቢ የሚደረግልዎት የህክምና ክትትል የከፋ የጉበት ህመም ወይም የጉበት ካንሰር እንዳይከሰት ለመከላከል እንደሚረዳ ተነጋገሩ፡፡ ወደ ጤና ተቋም በሚሄዱበት ጊዜ የጤና ባለሙያው ለጉበት ካንሰር እርስዎን መምረጡን እርግጠኛ መሆንዎ፤ ቫይረሱን ቀድሞ በመለየት የበለጠ ህክምና እንዲያገኙና ህይወትዎ እንዲረዝም ለማድረግ ስለሚረዳ ነው፡፡ በጉበትዎ ላይ በርከት ያሉ መጨናነቆችን ስለሚያስከትሉ አልኮል እና ማጨስን ያስወግዱ አሊያም ይቀንሱ፡፡ ቅባት የበዛባቸው ምግቦች ለጉበት ስለሚከብዱ፣ የበሰሉ አትክልቶችን በመመገብ ጤናማ አመጋገብይኑረን፡፡   “በሽታው ስር የሰደደበት” ማለት ምን ማለት ነው? የሆነ አንድ ግለሰብ በሄፓታይተስ ቢ በፅኑ ከታመመ፣ ዶክተሩ “በፅኑ የታመመ”ብሎ ወደ ሌሎች ይልከዋል፡፡ “በፅኑ የታመመ”ማለት ግለሰቡ ስር ሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ያለበት እና ቫይረሱን ወደሌሎች ማስተላለፍ የሚችል እንደሆነ እንዲሁም በዶክተር ክትትል ሊደረግለት እንደሚገባ ለማመላከት ነው፡፡   ለሄፓታይተስ ቢ ህክምና አለው? አንዳንድ ጎልማሶች ያለምንም መድሀኒት በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ካለ የቫይረሱ መያዝ ራሳቸውን ያድናሉ፡፡ ስር በሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለተያዙ ጎልማሶች፣ ህፃናት እና ጨቅላ ህፃናት ምንም አይነት መድሀኒት የለም፡፡ ነገር ግን መልካም የሚባለው ዜና በፀና በታመመው ህመምተኛ ሰውነት ውስጥ ያለውን ቫይረሱን በማዳከም የከፋ ደረጃ ላይ ሊደርስ የሚችለውን የጉበት ህመም መቀነስ የሚያስችል ህክምና አለ፡፡ የሚራቡት የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረሶች ቁጥር በቀነሰ ጊዜ በጉበት ላይ የሚደርሰው ጉዳትም ይቀንሳል፡፡ ያሉት ተስፋ ሰጪ ምርምሮች ሲታዩ፣ ወደፊት ስር የሰደደውን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ለማከም የመረዱ መድሀኒቶች እንደሚገኙ ታላቅ ተስፋ አለ፡፡ የእኛንይጎብኙ መድሀኒት ተመልከት በመሞከር ላይ ያሉ የመድሀኒት ዝርዝሮችን ለማየት፡፡ የእኔን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ለማከም ምን አማራጮች አሉ? በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ላለ የቫይረሱ መያዝ እረፍት ከማድረግና ማንኛውንም የበሽታውን ምልክቶች ከመቆጣጠር የዘለለ ምንም አይነት ህክምና የለም፡፡  ስር ለሰደደ ሄፓታይተስ ቢ የተለያዩ ህክምናዎች አሉ፡፡ በሄፓታይተስ ቢ በፅኑ የታመመ ሰው ሁሉ ህክምና እንደማያስፈልገው መረዳት ያስፈልጋል፡፡ ህክምና እንደሚስፈልግህ አሊያም ሁኔታውን አየተከታተልክ ለመጠበቅ እንድትወስን ዶክተርህ ያግዝሀል፡፡ የተለያዩ የአንቲቫይራል ህክምናዎች የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ቫይረስ ከመባዛት ይገታሉ አሊያም ይቀንሳሉ፤ ይህም በጉበት ላይ የሚደርሰውን የማቃጠል ስሜት እና መሰል ጉዳትን ለመቀነስ ይረዳል፡፡ እነዚህ አንቲቫይራሎች በፒል መልክ በቀን አንድ ጊዜ ቢያንስ ለ 1 ዓመትና ከዚያም በላይ በፒል መልክ ይወሰዳሉ፡፡ በአሜሪካ 6 በኤፍ.ዲ.ኤ እውቅና የተሰጣቸው አንቲቫይራሎች አሉ፤ ነገር ግን ሶስቱ “በመጀመሪያው መስመር ያሉ”የሚባሉት አንቲቫይራሎች ይመከራሉ፦ቴኒፎቪር ዲሶፕሮክሲል (ቪሬድ/ቲ.ዲ.ኤፍ)፣ ቴኖፎቪር አላፍናማይድ (ቬምሊዲ/ቲ.ኤ.ኤፍ) እና ኢንትካቪር (ባራክሉድ)፡፡ መጀመሪያው መስመር ላይ ያሉት አንቲቫይራሎች አስተማማኝና በጣም ውጤታማ በመሆናቸው ይመከራሉ፡፡ በመጀመሪያ ደረጃ ያሉት የሚባሉት አንቲቫይራል ህክምናዎች ውጤት ካላመጡ ወይም አንሱን የማግነት እድል ከሌላቸው ሌሎች አማራጮች አሉ፦ telbuvidine (Tyzeka፣ Sebivo)፣ adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera)፣ እና lamivudine (Epivir-HBV፣ Zeffix፣ Heptodin)፡፡ ምንም እንኳን ኤፍ.ዲ.ኤ እነዚህን አንቲቫይራሎች ጥቅም ላይ እንዲውሉ ቢመክርም ስር የሰደደውን ሄፓታይተስ ቢ ን ሙሉ በሙሉ ማከም አይችሉም፡፡ ነገር ግን በጉበት ላይ ሊደርስ የሚችለውን ጉዳት እና የጉበት ካንሰርን ለመቀነስ ይችላሉ፡፡ አንቲቫይራሎች ዝም ተብለው የሚወሰዱ እና የሚቆሙ ባለመሆናቸው ለሄፓታይተስ ቢ ተብሎ የሚደረገውን ህክምና ከመጀመር በፊት እውቀቱ ያለው ዶክተር ጥልቅ ምርመራ ማድረግ አለበት፡፡ ኢሚዩኖሞዱሌተር መድሀኒቶች የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስን በመቆጣጠር የሰውነት የመከላል ብቃትን ከፍ ያደርጋል፡፡ ከ 6 ወር እስከ 1 ዓመት ባለው ጊዜ ውስጥ በመርፌ የሚሰጡ ናቸው፡፡ በብዛት የታዘዘው ኢንተርፌሮን አልፋ-2b (Intron A) እናፔጊሌትድ ኢንተርፌሮን (Pegasys) ናቸው፡፡ እርስዎና ዶክተርዎ ካሉት የህክምና አማራጮች መካከል ለእርስዎ የተሻለውን ለመምረጥ እንዲቻል መነጋገር አለባችሁ፡፡ ለአብዛኞቹሰዎች መድሀኒቶቹ የሄፓታይተስ ቢ ቫይረስን ወይ ይቀንሳሉ አሊያም ያስቆማሉ፡፡ በጥቂት ወራት ውስጥ ህመምተኛው የተሻለ ስሜት ይሰማዋል፤ ምክንያቱም ጉበቱ ላይ በቫይረሱ እየደረሰበት የነበረው ጉዳት እየቀነሰ ይመጣል፤ አሊያም ለረዥም ጊዜ ሲወሰድ ድጋሚ ሊያገረሽም ይችላል፡፡ በኤፍ.ዲ.ኤ ለተረጋገጠ የተሟላ የመድሀኒት ዝርዝር እና በሄፓታይተስ ቢ ዙሪያ እየተሰሩ ላሉ ተስፋ ሰጪ መድሀኒቶች፣ ይጎብኙ መድሀኒት ተመልከት፡፡     General Information What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is the world's most common liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks and injures the liver. It is transmitted through blood, unprotected sex, shared or re-used needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery. Most infected adults are able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus without any problems. However, some adults and most infected babies and children are unable to get rid of the virus and will develop chronic (life-long) infection. The good news is that there is a safe vaccine to prevent a hepatitis B infection and new treatments for those already infected with hepatitis B. How many people are affected by hepatitis B?Worldwide, 2 billion people (1 out of 3 people) have been infected with hepatitis B; and 257 million people are chronically infected (which means they are unable to get rid of the virus). An estimated 700,000 people die each year from hepatitis B and its complications. Why is hepatitis B more common in some parts of the world?Hepatitis B can infect any person of any age or ethnicity, but people from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, are at much higher risk for getting infected. Hepatitis B is also common among Americans who were born (or whose parents were born) in these regions. Hepatitis B is more common in certain regions of the world because there are so many more people already infected with hepatitis B in these regions. Although hepatitis B is not an "Asian disease" or an “African disease,” it affects hundreds of millions of people from these regions – so there are more people who can pass the hepatitis B virus on to others. This increases the risk that you could get infected. Since there is a smaller number of Westerners who are infected, this group has a lower risk of infection. In regions where hepatitis B is common, people are usually infected as newborns - from a mother who unknowingly passes the virus to her baby during delivery. Young children are also at risk if they live in close daily contact with an infected family member. Babies and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection because their young immune systems have trouble getting rid of the virus. If you, or your family, is from an area of the map that is darker blue, you might be at greater risk for hepatitis B infection and should talk to a doctor about getting tested. Why should I be concerned about hepatitis B?Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. It's important to get tested because early diagnosis can lead to early treatment which can save your life. Also, people who are infected can spread the virus to others. Since most people don't know they are infected, they are unknowingly spreading it to many other people. If people are not tested, hepatitis B can pass through several generations in one family and throughout the community. One common myth is that hepatitis B can be "inherited" since several generations in one family may be infected. But hepatitis B is NOT a genetic disease -- hepatitis B is caused by a virus, which is often transmitted among family members due to mother-to-child transmission or accidental household exposure to blood. Families can break the cycle of hepatitis B infection by getting tested, vaccinated and treated. Why is hepatitis B so dangerous?Hepatitis B is dangerous because it is a “silent infection” that can infect people without them knowing it. Most people who are infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and can unknowingly pass the virus to others through their blood and infected bodily fluids. For those who become chronically infected, there is an increased risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer later in life. The virus can quietly and continuously attack the liver over many years without being detected. What is acute hepatitis B?An acute hepatitis B infection may last up to six months (with or without symptoms) and infected persons are able to pass the virus to others during this time. Symptoms of an acute infection may include loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever, and possible stomach pain. Although most people do not experience symptoms, they can appear 60-150 days after infection, with the average being 3 months. Some people may experience more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), or a bloated stomach that may cause them to see a health care provider. A simple blood test can tell a person if the hepatitis B virus is in their blood. If you have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis B, the doctor will need to test your blood again in 6 months to figure out if you have recovered, or if you have developed a chronic hepatitis B infection. Until your health care provider confirms that your blood test shows that there is no more hepatitis B virus in your blood, it is important to protect others from a possible infection. It is also important to have your sexual partner(s) and family members (or those you live in close household contact with) tested for hepatitis B. If they have not been infected – and have not received the hepatitis B vaccine – then they should start the hepatitis B vaccine series. People who have acute hepatitis B are not prescribed specific hepatitis B treatment – there is no treatment that will get rid of an acute hepatitis B infection, and most people infected as adults recover on their own. Sometimes, a person with severe symptoms may be hospitalized for general support. Rest and managing symptoms are the primary goals of this medical care. A rare, life-threatening condition called “fulminant hepatitis” can occur with a new acute infection and requires immediate, urgent medical attention since a person can go into sudden liver failure. Simple tips for taking care of your liver during an acute hepatitis B infection are to avoid alcohol, stop or limit smoking, eat healthy foods, avoid greasy or fatty foods, and talk to your health care provider about any medications you are taking (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements) to make sure they are safe for your liver. This is a good time to ask any other questions you may have. The use of vitamins and liver health supplements will likely not assist your recovery and may actually cause more harm than good to the liver. Be sure to follow-up with your health care provider for any additional blood tests that are needed to confirm your recovery from an acute infection. What is chronic hepatitis B?People who test positive for the hepatitis B virus for more than six months (after their first blood test result) are diagnosed as having a chronic infection. This means their immune system was not able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus and it still remains in their blood and liver. There are effective ways to treat and manage a chronic infection, but there is no cure. If you are chronically infected, the virus will likely remain in your blood for the rest of your life. People who have chronic hepatitis B can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Chronic hepatitis B can also lead to serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Not every person who is chronically infected will develop serious liver disease. However, they have a greater chance than someone who is not infected. The risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection is related to the age at which one first becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus: 90% of infected newborns and babies will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection Up to 50% of infected children (1-5 years) will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection 5-10% of infected adults will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection (that is, 90% will recover) Learning that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection can be very upsetting. Because most people do not have symptoms and can be diagnosed decades after their initial exposure to the hepatitis B virus, it can be a shock and a surprise to be diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B infection. The good news is that most people with chronic hepatitis B should expect to live a long and healthy life. Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their newborns during childbirth. Therefore, since the risk of newborns becoming chronically infected at birth is high, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all infants receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after birth. If you are pregnant and you know that you are infected, you can make sure that your baby gets the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after delivery! While there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, there are effective drug therapies that can control the hepatitis B virus and stop it from damaging the liver. There are also promising new drugs in the research phase that could provide a cure in the very near future. Although the risk of developing a serious liver disease or liver cancer is higher for those living with chronic hepatitis B than those who are not infected, there are still many simple things a person can do to help reduce their risk. Schedule regular visits every six months (or at least every year) with a liver specialist or a health care provider who is knowledgeable about hepatitis B so they can monitor the health of your liver. Talk to your health care provider about whether treatment for your chronic hepatitis B infection would be helpful in preventing serious liver disease or liver cancer. Make sure that your health care provider screens you for liver cancer during your regular visits since early detection equals more treatment options and a longer life. Avoid or limit alcohol and smoking since both cause a lot of stress to your liver. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables since fried, greasy foods are hard on your liver. What does it mean to be a “chronic carrier”?When someone has a chronic hepatitis B infection, their doctor may refer to them as being a “chronic carrier.” Being a “chronic carrier” means that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection, can pass the virus on to others, and you should be managed by a doctor for your infection. Is there a cure for hepatitis B?Most adults will recover from an acute infection on their own without the need for medication. For adults, children and infants who develop a chronic hepatitis B infection, there is currently no cure. But the good news is there are treatments that can help slow the progression of liver disease in chronically infected persons by slowing down the virus. If there is less hepatitis B virus being produced, then there is less damage being done to the liver. With all of the new exciting research, there is great hope that a cure will be found for chronic hepatitis B in the near future. Visit our Drug Watch for a list of other promising drugs in development. What options are there to treat my hepatitis B?For an acute infection, there is generally no treatment other than rest and supportive measures to manage any symptoms. For chronic hepatitis B, there are several treatments available. It is important to understand that not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. Your doctor will help you decide if you need medication or if you can wait and monitor your condition. There are several antiviral medications that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These antivirals are taken as a pill once a day for at least 1 year, usually longer. There are 6 U.S. FDA approved antivirals, but only three “first-line” antivirals are recommended: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. For people who do not respond to, or have access to, the first-line antiviral treatments, other options are available: telbivudine (Tyzeka, Sebivo), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), and lamivudine (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin). Although the FDA has approved these antivirals for chronic hepatitis B, they do not provide a complete cure. They can, however, greatly decrease the risk of developing liver damage and liver cancer. Antivirals are not meant to be stopped and started, which is why a thorough evaluation by a knowledgeable doctor is so important before beginning treatment for chronic hepatitis B. There are also immunomodulator drugs that boost the immune system to help control the hepatitis B virus. They are given as injections over 6 months to 1 year. The most commonly prescribed include interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) and pegylated interferon (Pegasys). You and your doctor will need to discuss the treatment options before deciding which one, if any, is best for you. For many people, these medications will decrease or stop the hepatitis B virus. This results in patients feeling better within a few months because liver damage from the virus is slowed down, or even reversed in some cases, when taken long-term. For a complete list of FDA approved drugs and other promising drugs in development for hepatitis B, visit our Drug Watch.

  https://www.hepb.org/languages/amharic/generalinfo/
• Aspirin Use Associated With Lower Risk of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Dying of Chronic Liver Disease

  … by: Vikrant V. Sahasrabuddhe, Munira Z. Gunja, Barry I. Graubard, Britton Trabert, Lauren M. Schwartz, Yikyung Park, Albert R. Hollenbeck, Neal D. Freedman and Katherine A. McGlynn. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use, Chronic Liver Disease, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst (2012). Published online at: doi: 10.1093/jnci/djs452 Editorial Comments by W. Thomas London, HBF Senior Medical Advisor In previous blogs I reported that several drugs commonly used to treat or prevent diseases or conditions other than liver cancer or chronic liver disease may also prevent these serious liver diseases.  These included propranolol used to reduce pressure in the portal vein; metformin used to treat diabetes; and statins for the lowering of cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. The above report adds aspirin to this list, but people with chronic hepatitis B or C should not begin taking aspirin immediately.  Aspirin may cause serious bleeding that is sometimes fatal.  In order for blood to clot, platelets (cell fragments in blood) must clump.  One of aspirin’s actions is to prevent platelets from aggregating (clumping). This action may be the main reason that regular aspirin may prevent heart attacks. Patients with CLD are already at risk of developing serious bleeding.  The take home message is that patients with chronic hepatitis B or C should consult their doctor before taking aspirin or any other drug. About the blog authors: Vikrant Sahasrabuddhe,M.B.B.S., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. Associate Investigator in the Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch and is currently detailed to the NCI from the faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Katherine A. McGlynn, Ph.D., M.P.H. Deputy Chief, Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch   

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/aspirin-use-associated-with-lower-risk-of-developing-hepatocellular-carcinoma-and-dying-of-chronic-liver-disease/
• Hepatitis Transmission Risk in Hair and Nail Salons - An HBV Perspective

  The American College of Gastroenterology wrapped up its annual meeting in Washington, D. C. this week. A few of the topics discussed apply to those living with hepatitis B or the prevention of HBV and other blood-borne pathogens. Hepatitis Transmission Risk Needs to be Studied in Nail Salons and Barbershops is a press release that discusses a new analysis presented at this year’s annual ACG conference. It looks at your favorite nail and hair salon and barbers shop and discusses the risk of infectious disease transmission. Since HBV is more infectious than both HIV and HCV, it would seem the transmission of HBV might be higher. There is not a great deal of conclusive data out there, but they agree it warrants further study. Practically speaking, certain shop activities could provide a vehicle for transmission of HBV and other blood-born pathogens if adequate precautions are not followed. Fortunately there is a safe and effective vaccine for HBV, but not for HCV and HIV. No one wants an infectious disease, and if you are living with HBV, you don't want to be co-infected with another viral agent. For those living with HBV, it is recommended that personal care items such as nail files, clippers, and tweezers NOT be shared.  At your favorite nail salon, it is possible that “tools of the trade” such as nail files, cuticle pushers, nail buffers, brushes, clippers, are not single-use, or properly disinfected. Microscopic droplets of blood could readily transmit infectious disease.  Even items such as finger-bowls and foot basins need to be properly disinfected. At this time, there are no OSHA or CDC guidelines for infection control practices for nail and hair salons, and barbershops. They are all state regulated. Please check out this guide to regulations for nail salons, listed state-by-state. Unfortunately there was not a similar guide pulled together for hair salons and barber shops. It is important to know what is expected at your nail salon in your state, and

  http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-transmission-risk-in-hair-and-nail-salons-an-hbv-perspective/

• 預防和疫苗接種  我怎麼會感染 B 型肝炎？B 型肝炎是由經由血液傳播病毒而引起的一種傳染病。下面列出的是 B 型肝炎最常見的傳染方式： 直接接觸受感染的血液或體液  在懷孕或分娩期間由受感染的母親傳給新生嬰兒  與受感染的伴侶發生無保護的性行為  共用或重複使用針頭（例如：共用針頭施打毒品，或者在醫療、針灸、紋身或穿耳洞/人體穿孔時重複使用未經適當消毒的針頭）  街頭醫生、牙醫或理髮師可能使用的未經消毒的醫療設備或針頭 B 型肝炎是隨意傳播的嗎？不是，B 型肝炎不會經由隨意的接觸傳染。您不會經由空氣、擁抱、觸摸、打噴嚏、咳嗽、馬桶座墊或門把而感染 B 型肝炎。您不會因為與某個感染者同食同飲或是食用由某個 B 型肝炎患者準備的食物而感染 B 型肝炎。 誰最有可能感染 B 型肝炎？ 雖然每個人都有感染 B 型肝炎的一定風險，但有些人更容易受感染。您的工作、生活方式、或者僅僅是出生在有 B 型肝炎的家庭，都可以增加您受感染的風險。以下是一些最常見的「高風險」群體——但請記住，這並非完整清單： 與 B 型肝炎患者結婚或與其在家庭中密切接觸之人。這包括成年人和兒童。 在 B 型肝炎較為常見的國家出生，或者其父母在 B 型肝炎較為常見的國家（亞洲、非洲和南美洲部分地區、東歐以及中東）出生之人。  在 B 型肝炎較為常見的國家（亞洲、非洲和南美洲部分地區、東歐以及中東）居住或旅行之人。 性生活活躍的成年人和青少年  男男性行為者  受感染母親所生的嬰兒  醫護人員和在工作中接觸到血液的其他人士。 緊急救難人員  進行腎透析的患者 團體家庭、機構或勒戒中心的居民和工作人員。 1992 年以前的輸血接受者，或未經適當篩查血液的近期接受者。 曾經和現在的注射吸毒者  紋身或人體穿孔者  去看街頭醫生、牙醫或使用理髮師的人 針對 B 型肝炎疫苗有哪些建議？ 世界衛生組織（世衛組織）和美國疾病控制和預防中心 (CDC) 建議所有嬰兒和 18 歲以下的兒童接種 B 型肝炎疫苗。CDC 還建議高危群體中的成年人接種疫苗。 B 型肝炎疫苗是一種安全有效的疫苗，建議所有剛出生的嬰兒和 18 歲以下的兒童接種該疫苗。也建議患有糖尿病的成年人，以及因其工作、生活方式、生活環境或出生國而有高感染風險的人士接種 B 型肝炎疫苗。每個人都有一定感染風險，所有成年人都應該認真考慮接種 B 型肝炎疫苗，以終生防止患上這種可預防的慢性肝病。 B 型肝炎疫苗安全嗎？ 安全，B 型肝炎疫苗十分安全有效。事實上，這算是第一劑「抗癌疫苗」，因為它能保護您遠離 B 型肝炎，而 B 型肝炎是全世界八成肝癌的主因。 隨著全世界已接種超過 10 億劑疫苗，醫學和科學研究已証明，B 型肝炎疫苗是迄今最安全的疫苗之一。 我會因為接種疫苗而感染 B 型肝炎嗎？不會，您不會因為接種疫苗而感染 B 型肝炎。這種疫苗是在實驗室中以合成酵母產品製成的。最常見的副作用是手臂上注射部位的紅腫和疼痛。 接種B 型肝炎疫苗的時間表是什麼？您的醫生診所和當地衛生部門或診所都會提供 B 型肝炎疫苗。儘管針對年齡 11 歲到 15 歲的青少年有一種加速型雙劑量系列，但通常需要三劑來完成 B 型肝炎疫苗系列，而且有一種新型 2 劑疫苗於 2017 年獲得美國食品和藥物管理局 (FDA) 批准用於成年人。重要的是要記住，受感染的母親所生的嬰兒必須在產房或出生後 12 小時以內立即接種第 1 劑 B 型肝炎疫苗。 第 1 劑——在任何特定時間，但新生兒應該在產房接種這一劑 第 2 劑——在第 1 劑後至少 1 個月（或 28 天） 第 3 劑——在第 1 劑後 6 個月（或者在第 2 劑後至少 2 個月） 第 1 劑和第 3 劑必須相隔至少 16 週。如果您的疫苗接種時間表已經延誤，您無需重新開始，您可以從您已中斷之處繼續——即使劑量已經相隔數年。為了確保您能抵抗 B 型肝炎，進行簡單驗血來檢查您的「B 型肝炎抗體滴度」 (HBsAb)，就能確認疫苗接種是否成功。 我還能做些什麼來保護自己免於 B 型肝炎的感染？因為 B 型肝炎經由受感染的血液及體液傳染，所以您可以做幾件簡單的事情，保護自己遠離感染的風險，直到完成疫苗接種： 避免直接接觸血液或任何體液  與性伴侶使用避孕套  避免濫用非法藥物和處方藥，包括注射此類藥物  避免共用諸如剃鬚刀、牙刷、耳環和指甲鉗等尖銳物品  確保在醫、牙醫、針灸、紋身、穿耳孔和人體穿孔方面使用無菌針頭和設備  戴手套並使用重新調製的漂白劑和水溶液來清理血液溢出物  在接觸或清潔血液後，用肥皂和水徹底洗手  最重要的是，確保您接種 B 型肝炎疫苗！ Prevention and Vaccination How can I get hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by a virus that is spread through blood. Listed below are the most common ways hepatitis B is passed to others: Direct contact with infected blood or infected bodily fluids  From an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery  Unprotected sex with an infected partner  Shared or re-used needles (for example, sharing needles for illegal drugs or re-using needles that are not properly sterilized for medicine, acupuncture, tattoos, or ear/body piercing)  Unsterilized medical equipment or needles that may be used by roadside doctors, dentists or barbers Is hepatitis B transmitted casually? No, hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact. You cannot get hepatitis B from the air, hugging, touching, sneezing, coughing, toilet seats or doorknobs. You cannot get hepatitis B from eating or drinking with someone who is infected or from eating food prepared by someone who has hepatitis B. Who is most likely to become infected with hepatitis B? Although everyone is at some risk for getting hepatitis B, there are some people who are more likely to get infected. Your job, lifestyle, or just being born into a family with hepatitis B can increase your chances of being infected. Here are some of the most common "high risk" groups -- but please remember that this is not a complete list: People who are married to or live in close household contact with someone who has hepatitis B. This includes adults and children. People who were born countries where hepatitis B is common, or whose parents were born in countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East).  People who live in or travel to countries where hepatitis B is very common (Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East). Sexually active adults and teenagers  Men who have sex with men  Infants born to infected mothers  Healthcare workers and others who are exposed to blood in their jobs. Emergency personnel  Patients who are on kidney dialysis Residents and staff of group homes, institutions, or correctional facilities. Recipients of blood transfusions before 1992, or more recent recipients of improperly screened blood Injection drug users, past and present  People who get tattoos or body piercing  People who use roadside doctors, dentists or barbers   What are the recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and children up to age 18 years by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also recommends that adults in high-risk groups be vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that is recommended for all infants at birth and for children up to 18 years. The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk for infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or country of birth. Since everyone is at some risk, all adults should seriously consider getting the hepatitis B vaccine for a lifetime protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe? Yes, the hepatitis B vaccine is very safe and effective. In fact, it is the first “anti-cancer vaccine” because it can protect you from hepatitis B, which is the cause of 80% of all liver cancer in the world. 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. Can I get hepatitis B from the vaccine?No, you cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine. The vaccine is made from a synthetic yeast product in a laboratory. The most common side effects are redness and soreness in the arm where the shot is given. What is the hepatitis B vaccine schedule?The hepatitis B vaccine is available at your doctor's office and local health department or clinic. Three doses are generally required to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series, although there is an accelerated two-dose series for adolescents age 11 through 15 years, and there is a new 2-dose vaccine that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults in 2017. It is important to remember that babies born to infected mothers must receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life. 1st Shot - At any given time, but newborns should receive this dose in the delivery room 2nd Shot - At least one month (or 28 days) after the 1st shot 3rd Shot - Six months after the 1st shot (or at least 2 months after the 2nd shot) There must be at least 16 weeks between the 1st and 3rd shot. If your vaccine schedule has been delayed, you do not need to start the series over, you can continue from where you have left off – even if there have been years between doses. To be certain that you are protected against hepatitis B, ask for a simple blood test to check your “hepatitis B antibody titers” (HBsAb) which will confirm whether the vaccination was successful. What else can I do to protect myself from hepatitis B?Since hepatitis B is spread through infected blood and infected body fluids, there are several simple things that you can do to protect yourself from possible infection until your vaccination is complete: Avoid touching blood or any bodily fluids directly  Use condoms with sexual partners  Avoid illegal drugs and prescription drug misuse, including injection of such drugs  Avoid sharing sharp objects such as razors, toothbrushes, earrings, and nail clippers  Make sure that sterile needles and equipment are used for medicine, the dentist, acupuncture, tattoos, ear and body piercing  Wear gloves and use a fresh solution of bleach and water to clean up blood spills  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching or cleaning up blood  Most importantly, make sure you receive the hepatitis B vaccine!  

  https://www.hepb.org/languages/chinese-traditional/hepatitis-b-vaccination/

• 一般資訊  什麼是 B 型肝炎？B 型肝炎是世界上最常見的肝臟感染。是由會攻擊和傷害肝臟的 B 型肝炎病毒引起的。經由血液、沒有保護的性行為、共用或重複使用的針頭傳染，以及在懷孕或分娩期間由受感染的母親傳染給新生兒。大多數受感染的成年人都能毫無困難地擺脫 B 型肝炎病毒。然而，某些成年人和大多數受感染的嬰兒和兒童卻無法擺脫這種病毒，因而演變為慢性（終生）感染。 好消息是有安全的疫苗可以預防 B 型肝炎感染，並且也有針對已感染人士的新治療方法。 有多少人受 B 型肝炎影響？全世界有 20 億人（每 3 人中就有 1 人）感染 B 型肝炎；2.57 億人為慢性感染（也就是說他們無法擺脫這種病毒）。據估計，每年有 70 萬人死於 B 型肝炎及其併發症。 為什麼 B 型肝炎在世界的某些地區比較常見？B 型肝炎可以感染任何年齡或種族的任何人，但是來自世界上 B 型肝炎較為常見的地區（如亞洲、非洲和南美洲部分地區、東歐以及中東）的人，受感染的風險要高得多。B 型肝炎在出生（或其父母出生）於這些地區的美國人中也很常見。 B 型肝炎在世界上某些地區較為常見，是因為在這些地區已經有更多的人感染了 B 型肝炎。雖然 B 型肝炎並非「亞洲病」或「非洲病」，但卻影響著來自這些地區的數億人——因此，會有更多的人將 B 型肝炎病毒傳給他人。這增加了您受感染的風險。因為比較少西方人受感染，所以這個群體的感染風險較低。 在 B 型肝炎常見的地區，人們通常在新生兒時期就受到感染——在分娩過程中由母親在不知情的情況下將病毒傳給嬰兒。在生活上與受感染的家庭成員日常接觸密切的幼兒也面臨風險。嬰兒和兒童比較容易演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染，因為他們未成熟的免疫系統難以擺脫這種病毒。 如果您或您的家人來自地圖上的深藍色區域，您感染 B 型肝炎的風險可能更大，應該和醫生談談接受檢查的事宜。 我為什麼應該關心 B 型肝炎？慢性 B 型肝炎可以導致嚴重的肝病，如肝硬化或肝癌。接受檢查十分重要，因為早期診斷可以早期治療，進而挽救您的生命。另外，感染者可能將病毒傳給他人。大多數人根本不知道自己受感染，所以他們會在不知情的情況下傳給許多其他人。如果人們不接受檢查，B 型肝炎可能傳給一個家庭好幾代人及整個社區。 一個常見誤解是 B 型肝炎會「遺傳」，因為一個家庭中幾代人都可能感染。但 B 型肝炎並不是遺傳疾病—— B 型肝炎是由病毒引起的，通常因母嬰傳染或者不小心接觸血液而在家人之間傳染。家人之間可以透過接受檢查、接種疫苗和治療，不受 B 型肝炎感染。 B 型肝炎為什麼如此危險？B 型肝炎很危險，因為這是一種「無聲的感染」，可以讓人在不知情之下受到感染。大多數 B 型肝炎感染者根本不知道自己被感染，會在不知情的情況下經由血液和體液將病毒傳給他人。那些慢性感染者日後有更高的風險會演變為肝功能衰竭、肝硬化和/或肝癌。這種病毒可以悄無聲息、持續不斷地長年攻擊肝臟而不被察覺。 什麼是急性 B 型肝炎？急性 B 型肝炎感染可能持續達 6 個月（不論是否有症狀），感染者在這段期間會將病毒傳給他人。 急性感染的症狀可能包括食慾減退、關節和肌肉疼痛、低燒及可能出現胃痛。雖然大多數人都不沒有任何症狀，但症狀可能會在感染後的 60-150 天，平均3 個月後出現。有些人可能出現更嚴重的症狀，如噁心、嘔吐、黃疸（眼睛和皮膚發黃）或者胃脹，這些可能導致他們去就醫。 只需要簡單驗血即可辨別一個人的血液中是否有 B 型肝炎病毒。如果您已被診斷為急性 B 型肝炎，醫生需要在 6 個月後再次為您驗血，以確定您是否已經痊癒，還是已經演變為慢性 B 型肝炎。在醫護人員替您驗血確認您的血液中不再有 B 型肝炎病毒之前，保護其他人避免被感染是十分重要的。讓您的性伴侶和家人（或與您密切接觸的家屬）接受 B 型肝炎檢查也是十分重要的。如果他們尚未受感染，而且尚未接受 B 型肝炎疫苗接種，那麼他們就應該開始接種 B 型肝炎系列疫苗。 急性 B 型肝炎患者沒有特定的治療方法——目前沒有任何治療方法可以完全擺脫急性 B 型肝炎，大多數在成年期受到感染的人都能自行痊癒。有時候，症狀嚴重者可能要住院接受治療。休息和控制症狀是治療的主要目標。新的急性感染會伴隨一種叫做「猛暴型肝炎」的罕見致命疾病，需要立即進行緊急治療，因為患者可能會突然肝衰竭。 在感染急性 B 型肝炎期間照顧肝臟的簡單方法就是要避免飲酒、戒菸、食用健康食物、避免油膩或高脂肪的食物，以及告知醫護人員您正在服用的所有藥物（處方藥、非處方藥、維他命或草藥補充劑），以確保他們對您的肝臟無害。這時如果您有任何疑問要儘量提出來。使用維他命和肝臟健康補充劑可能沒法助您痊癒，實際上對肝臟的影響可能弊大於利。 請務必接受醫護人員複診，必要時再次驗血以確認您已經從急性感染痊癒。 什麼是慢性 B 型肝炎？B 型肝炎病毒檢驗結果呈陽性超過 6 個月（初次驗血結果以後）就會被診斷為患慢性感染。這表示他們的免疫系統無法擺脫 B 型肝炎病毒，而且這種病毒仍然存在於他們的血液和肝臟中。目前已經有有效的方法可以治療和控制慢性感染，但是沒有辦法治癒。如果您是慢性感染者，病毒很可能在您的一生中都留在您的血液裡。 慢性 B 型肝炎患者會在不知情的情況下將病毒傳給他人。慢性 B 型肝炎也可以導致嚴重的肝病，如肝硬化或肝癌。但並非每個慢性感染者都會演變為嚴重的肝病。然而，他們的可能性比未感染者更大。 演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染的風險與首次感染 B 型肝炎病毒的年齡有關： 90% 受感染的新生兒和嬰兒會演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染 高達 50% 受感染的兒童（1-5 歲）會演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染 5%-10% 受感染的成年人會演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染（即 90% 會痊癒） 獲悉自己患有慢性 B 型肝炎感染會非常令人沮喪。因為大多數人沒有症狀，他們在最初接觸 B 型肝炎病毒後數十年被診斷出來，所以會令人感到震驚和意外。好消息是，大多數慢性 B 型肝炎患者會活得健康長壽。 受感染的孕婦會在分娩期間將病毒傳給新生兒。新生兒在出生時慢性感染的風險很高，世界衛生組織（世衛組織）和美國疾病控制和預防中心 (CDC) 建議，所有嬰兒在出生後 12-24 小時內接受首劑 B 型肝炎疫苗接種。如果您已懷孕並且您知道自己受感染，您應該確保您的寶寶在分娩後的 12-24 小時內接受首劑 B 型肝炎疫苗接種！ 儘管慢性 B 型肝炎感染沒有治癒的方法，但有藥物可以控制 B 型肝炎病毒，並可阻止他們繼續損害肝臟。也有處於實驗階段的新藥，可以在不久的將來提供治癒方法。儘管慢性 B 型肝炎患者演變為嚴重肝病或肝癌的風險較高，但還有許多簡單的事情可以幫助他們降低風險。 安排每 6 個月（或至少每年）一次定期到肝臟專科醫生或精通 B 型肝炎治療的醫護人員處就診，以便他們能監測您的肝臟健康。 與您的醫護人員討論您的慢性 B 型肝炎感染治療是否有助於預防嚴重的肝病或肝癌。 確保您的醫護人員在您定期就診期間為您進行肝癌篩查，因為早期發現就等於更多治療選擇和生命更有保障。 戒酒和戒菸，因為菸酒都會對您的肝臟造成嚴重傷害。 健康飲食，吃大量蔬菜，因為油炸、油膩的食物會增加肝臟的負坦。   成為「慢性帶原者」意味著什麼？當某人有慢性 B 型肝炎感染時，他們的醫生可能會稱他們為「慢性帶原者」。身為「慢性帶原者」表示您有慢性 B 型肝炎感染，可以將病毒傳給他人，應該由醫生來幫您控制感染。 B 型肝炎有治癒的方法嗎？大多數成年人無需藥物治療，急性感染即可自行痊癒。對於演變為慢性 B 型肝炎感染的成年人、兒童和嬰兒，目前還沒有治癒的方法。但好消息是，有一些治療方法可以減緩病毒擴散的速度，進而減緩慢性感染者肝病的進展。如果產生的 B 型肝炎病毒較少，那麼對肝臟的損傷就比較小。 隨著令人振奮的新研究，相信找到慢性 B 型肝炎的治癒方法指日可待。請參閱我們的 Drug Watch，瞭解目前正在研發中的其他具有潛力的藥物。 B 型肝炎有哪些治療選擇？除了休息和輔助醫療來控制症狀之外，急性感染通常沒有其他任何治療方法。 慢性 B 型肝炎有幾種治療方法。重要的是要瞭解，並非每個慢性 B 型肝炎患者都需要治療。您的醫生會幫助您決定是要進行藥物治療，還是可以靜待觀察您的病情。 有幾種抗病毒藥物可以減緩或阻止 B 型肝炎病毒的複製，進而減少肝臟發炎和造成的損害。這些抗病毒藥丸每天服用一次，至少需要服用 1 年，通常更久。目前有六種經美國食品和藥物管理局 (FDA) 批准的抗病毒藥物，但是只有三種「一線」抗病毒藥物獲得推薦：惠立妥（tenofovir disoproxil，商品名 Viread/TDF）、韋立得（tenofovir alafenamide，商品名 Vemlidy/TAF）和貝樂克（entecavir，商品名 Baraclude）。推薦使用一線抗病毒藥物，因為他們更安全也最有效。對一線抗病毒治療無反應或無法獲取一線抗病毒治療的患者可以使用其他選擇：喜必福（telbivudine，商品名 Tyzeka、Sebivo）、干適能（adefovir dipivoxil，商品名 Hepsera）和干安能（lamivudine，商品名 Epivir-HBV、Zeffix、Heptodin）。 儘管 FDA 已經批准這些用於慢性 B 型肝炎的抗病毒藥物，但他們無法徹底治癒這種病。不過他們可以大幅降低肝臟損傷和肝癌的風險。抗病毒藥物不能隨意停止和開始服用，這就是為什麽在開始治療慢性 B 型肝炎之前，需要由專業醫生進行徹底評估的原因。 也有免疫調節藥物可以增強免疫系統，以助於控制 B 型肝炎病毒。他們在 6 個月到 1 年的時間裡以注射方式給藥。最常見的處方藥物包括干擾素 alfa-2b (Intron A) 和聚 B 二醇干擾素 (Pegasys)。 您和您的醫生需要討論哪種治療選擇最適合您。對許多人來說，這些藥物會減少或阻止 B 型肝炎病毒。患者在幾個月以內會有所改善，這是因為病毒對肝臟的損傷減緩，或者在某些情況下，甚至在長期服用後出現逆轉。 請參閱我們的 Drug Watch，取得 FDA 批准的藥物和目前正在研發中的其他具有潛力的藥物的完整名單。   General Information What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is the world's most common liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks and injures the liver. It is transmitted through blood, unprotected sex, shared or re-used needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery. Most infected adults are able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus without any problems. However, some adults and most infected babies and children are unable to get rid of the virus and will develop chronic (life-long) infection. The good news is that there is a safe vaccine to prevent a hepatitis B infection and new treatments for those already infected with hepatitis B. How many people are affected by hepatitis B?Worldwide, 2 billion people (1 out of 3 people) have been infected with hepatitis B; and 257 million people are chronically infected (which means they are unable to get rid of the virus). An estimated 700,000 people die each year from hepatitis B and its complications. Why is hepatitis B more common in some parts of the world?Hepatitis B can infect any person of any age or ethnicity, but people from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, are at much higher risk for getting infected. Hepatitis B is also common among Americans who were born (or whose parents were born) in these regions. Hepatitis B is more common in certain regions of the world because there are so many more people already infected with hepatitis B in these regions. Although hepatitis B is not an "Asian disease" or an “African disease,” it affects hundreds of millions of people from these regions – so there are more people who can pass the hepatitis B virus on to others. This increases the risk that you could get infected. Since there is a smaller number of Westerners who are infected, this group has a lower risk of infection. In regions where hepatitis B is common, people are usually infected as newborns - from a mother who unknowingly passes the virus to her baby during delivery. Young children are also at risk if they live in close daily contact with an infected family member. Babies and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection because their young immune systems have trouble getting rid of the virus. If you, or your family, is from an area of the map that is darker blue, you might be at greater risk for hepatitis B infection and should talk to a doctor about getting tested. Why should I be concerned about hepatitis B?Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. It's important to get tested because early diagnosis can lead to early treatment which can save your life. Also, people who are infected can spread the virus to others. Since most people don't know they are infected, they are unknowingly spreading it to many other people. If people are not tested, hepatitis B can pass through several generations in one family and throughout the community. One common myth is that hepatitis B can be "inherited" since several generations in one family may be infected. But hepatitis B is NOT a genetic disease -- hepatitis B is caused by a virus, which is often transmitted among family members due to mother-to-child transmission or accidental household exposure to blood. Families can break the cycle of hepatitis B infection by getting tested, vaccinated and treated. Why is hepatitis B so dangerous?Hepatitis B is dangerous because it is a “silent infection” that can infect people without them knowing it. Most people who are infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and can unknowingly pass the virus to others through their blood and infected bodily fluids. For those who become chronically infected, there is an increased risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer later in life. The virus can quietly and continuously attack the liver over many years without being detected. What is acute hepatitis B?An acute hepatitis B infection may last up to six months (with or without symptoms) and infected persons are able to pass the virus to others during this time. Symptoms of an acute infection may include loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever, and possible stomach pain. Although most people do not experience symptoms, they can appear 60-150 days after infection, with the average being 3 months. Some people may experience more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), or a bloated stomach that may cause them to see a health care provider. A simple blood test can tell a person if the hepatitis B virus is in their blood. If you have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis B, the doctor will need to test your blood again in 6 months to figure out if you have recovered, or if you have developed a chronic hepatitis B infection. Until your health care provider confirms that your blood test shows that there is no more hepatitis B virus in your blood, it is important to protect others from a possible infection. It is also important to have your sexual partner(s) and family members (or those you live in close household contact with) tested for hepatitis B. If they have not been infected – and have not received the hepatitis B vaccine – then they should start the hepatitis B vaccine series. People who have acute hepatitis B are not prescribed specific hepatitis B treatment – there is no treatment that will get rid of an acute hepatitis B infection, and most people infected as adults recover on their own. Sometimes, a person with severe symptoms may be hospitalized for general support. Rest and managing symptoms are the primary goals of this medical care. A rare, life-threatening condition called “fulminant hepatitis” can occur with a new acute infection and requires immediate, urgent medical attention since a person can go into sudden liver failure. Simple tips for taking care of your liver during an acute hepatitis B infection are to avoid alcohol, stop or limit smoking, eat healthy foods, avoid greasy or fatty foods, and talk to your health care provider about any medications you are taking (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements) to make sure they are safe for your liver. This is a good time to ask any other questions you may have. The use of vitamins and liver health supplements will likely not assist your recovery and may actually cause more harm than good to the liver. Be sure to follow-up with your health care provider for any additional blood tests that are needed to confirm your recovery from an acute infection. What is chronic hepatitis B?People who test positive for the hepatitis B virus for more than six months (after their first blood test result) are diagnosed as having a chronic infection. This means their immune system was not able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus and it still remains in their blood and liver. There are effective ways to treat and manage a chronic infection, but there is no cure. If you are chronically infected, the virus will likely remain in your blood for the rest of your life. People who have chronic hepatitis B can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Chronic hepatitis B can also lead to serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Not every person who is chronically infected will develop serious liver disease. However, they have a greater chance than someone who is not infected.The risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection is related to the age at which one first becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus: 90% of infected newborns and babies will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection Up to 50% of infected children (1-5 years) will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection 5-10% of infected adults will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection (that is, 90% will recover) Learning that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection can be very upsetting. Because most people do not have symptoms and can be diagnosed decades after their initial exposure to the hepatitis B virus, it can be a shock and a surprise to be diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B infection. The good news is that most people with chronic hepatitis B should expect to live a long and healthy life. Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their newborns during childbirth. Therefore, since the risk of newborns becoming chronically infected at birth is high, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all infants receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after birth. If you are pregnant and you know that you are infected, you can make sure that your baby gets the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after delivery! While there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, there are effective drug therapies that can control the hepatitis B virus and stop it from damaging the liver. There are also promising new drugs in the research phase that could provide a cure in the very near future. Although the risk of developing a serious liver disease or liver cancer is higher for those living with chronic hepatitis B than those who are not infected, there are still many simple things a person can do to help reduce their risk. Schedule regular visits every six months (or at least every year) with a liver specialist or a health care provider who is knowledgeable about hepatitis B so they can monitor the health of your liver. Talk to your health care provider about whether treatment for your chronic hepatitis B infection would be helpful in preventing serious liver disease or liver cancer. Make sure that your health care provider screens you for liver cancer during your regular visits since early detection equals more treatment options and a longer life. Avoid or limit alcohol and smoking since both cause a lot of stress to your liver. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables since fried, greasy foods are hard on your liver. What does it mean to be a “chronic carrier”?When someone has a chronic hepatitis B infection, their doctor may refer to them as being a “chronic carrier.” Being a “chronic carrier” means that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection, can pass the virus on to others, and you should be managed by a doctor for your infection. Is there a cure for hepatitis B?Most adults will recover from an acute infection on their own without the need for medication. For adults, children and infants who develop a chronic hepatitis B infection, there is currently no cure. But the good news is there are treatments that can help slow the progression of liver disease in chronically infected persons by slowing down the virus. If there is less hepatitis B virus being produced, then there is less damage being done to the liver. With all of the new exciting research, there is great hope that a cure will be found for chronic hepatitis B in the near future. Visit our Drug Watch for a list of other promising drugs in development. What options are there to treat my hepatitis B?For an acute infection, there is generally no treatment other than rest and supportive measures to manage any symptoms. For chronic hepatitis B, there are several treatments available. It is important to understand that not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. Your doctor will help you decide if you need medication or if you can wait and monitor your condition. There are several antiviral medications that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These antivirals are taken as a pill once a day for at least 1 year, usually longer. There are 6 U.S. FDA approved antivirals, but only three “first-line” antivirals are recommended: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. For people who do not respond to, or have access to, the first-line antiviral treatments, other options are available: telbivudine (Tyzeka, Sebivo), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), and lamivudine (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin). Although the FDA has approved these antivirals for chronic hepatitis B, they do not provide a complete cure. They can, however, greatly decrease the risk of developing liver damage and liver cancer. Antivirals are not meant to be stopped and started, which is why a thorough evaluation by a knowledgeable doctor is so important before beginning treatment for chronic hepatitis B. There are also immunomodulator drugs that boost the immune system to help control the hepatitis B virus. They are given as injections over 6 months to 1 year. The most commonly prescribed include interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) and pegylated interferon (Pegasys). You and your doctor will need to discuss the treatment options before deciding which one, if any, is best for you. For many people, these medications will decrease or stop the hepatitis B virus. This results in patients feeling better within a few months because liver damage from the virus is slowed down, or even reversed in some cases, when taken long-term. For a complete list of FDA approved drugs and other promising drugs in development for hepatitis B, visit our Drug Watch.  

  https://www.hepb.org/languages/chinese-traditional/general-information/

• Гепатит Б гэж юу вэ?Гепатит Б бол дэлхийд хамгийн элбэг тохиолдох элэгний халдварт өвчин юм. Энэ нь элгийг гэмтээдэг гепатит Б вирусаар халдварладаг. Уг вирус нь цусаар, хамгаалалтгүй бэлгийн хавьтал болон дахин хэрэглэсэн зүүгээр дмжин халдварлаж болно. Түүнчлэн эхээс урагт жирэмсний хугацаанд болон төрөх явцад халдварладаг. Ихэнх халдвар авсан насанд хүрэгчид гепатит Б вирусаас ямар нэгэн асуудалгүй ангижрах боломжтой байдаг байна.Хэдий тийм боловч зарим насанд хүрэгчид болон ихэнх халдвар авсан нярай болон хүүхдүүд вирусаас зугтах боломжгүй байдаг ба халдвар (амьдралын турш) архагшдаг байна. Сайн мэдээ гэвэл гепатит Б-ээс сэргийлэх вакцин болон гепатит Б-ээр халдварлагсдад зориулсан шинэ эмчилгээнүүд бий болсоор байна. Хичнээн хүн гепатит Б-ээр халдварласан байдаг вэ?Дэлхий дахинаа 2 тэрбум хүн (3 хүн тутмын 1 нь) гепатит Б вирусын халдвар авсан гэж үздэг бөгөөд үүнээс 257 сая нь архаг хэлбэрт шилжсэн гэж тооцоолсон байдаг (халдвараас зугтах боломжгүй хүмүүс).Жил бүр 700,000 орчим хүн гепатит Б вирусаас болж нас барж байна. Гепатит Б яагаад дэлхийн тодорхой бүсүүдэд илүү өндөр тархалттай байгаа вэ?Гепатит Б нь аль ч насны ямар ч хүнд гарал угсаа хамааралгүй халдварлаж болно. Гэвч Ази, Африк болон Өмнөд Америкийн зарим хэсгүүд, Зүүн Европ, Ойрхи Дорнодын улс орнуудад нийтлэг ажиглагддаг бөгөөд халдварлах магадлал ч өндөр байдаг. Түүнчлэн Гепатит Б нь өөрөө болон эцэг эх нь тус бүс нутгуудад төрсөн Америкчуудын дунд нийтлэг ажиглагддаг. Гепатит Б нь дэлхийн тодорхой бүс нутгуудад нийтлэг ажиглагдаж байгаа нь гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авсан хүмүүс тус бүс нутгуудад элбэг байдагтай холбоотой. Хэдий тийм боловч гепатит Б нь зөвхөн Азийн эсвэл Африкийн өвчин биш юм. Эдгээр бүс нутгаас бусад газруудад ч халдвар өргөн байгаа нь халдвар авсан хүмүүсийн тоо өсөх тусам бусаддаа халдварлуулах магадлал өсч байгааг харуулж байна. Энэ нь та ч мөн халдвар авах магадлалыг өсгөж байгаа юм. Барууны орнуудад халдвар авсан хүмүүсийн тоо бага байдаг учраас халдвар авах эрсдэл харьцангуй бага гэж ойлгож болно. Гепатит Б-ийн халдвар элбэг байгаа бүс нутгуудад халдвар ихэвчлэн эхээс урагт ургийг тээх явцад үл мэдэгдэх шалтгаанаар халдварласан байдаг. Бага насны хүүхдүүдийн эргэн тойронд халдварласан гэр бүлийн гишүүн байгаа тохиолдолд хамтын амьдралын явцад халдвар авах эрсдэл өндөр. Нярай болон бага насны хүүхдүүдийн дархлааны систем сул, вирусыг эсэргүүцэх эсэргүүцэл багатай байдаг тул гепатит Б-ийн халдварыг архагшуулах хандлагатай байдаг. Хэрвээ та болон таны гэр бүл газрын зурагт тэмдэглэсэн хар хөх өнгөөр тэмдэглэсэн бүс нутгаас гаралтай бол гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авсан байх өндөр магадлалтай тул эмчтэй зөвлөлдөж шинжилгээ өгөх хэрэгтэй. Яагаад бид гепатит Б-ийн талаар нухацтай авч үзэх шаардлагатай вэ?Архаг гепатит Б нь элэгний цирроз /хатуурал/, болон хорт хавдар зэрэг элэгний ноцтой өвчлөлийг үүсгэдэг. Шинжилгээ өгч эрт илрүүлэх нь чухал ба эрт илрүүлснээр эмчилгээ эрт хийлгэж таны амь насыг аврах боломжтой болно гэсэн үг. Түүнчлэн халдвар авсан хүмүүс вирусыг бусаддаа тарааж байдаг. Ихэнх хүмүүс халдвар авснаа ч мэддэггүй учраас өөрөө ч мэдэлгүй бусаддаа халдвар тарааж байдаг байна. Шинжилгээ өгч гепатит Б вирустай эсэхээ шалгуулаагүй тохиолдолд нэг гэр бүлийн хэдэн үе төдийгүй цаашид нийгэмшлээр дамжин тархах нь дамжиггүй. Хүмүүсийн дунд тархсан нэгэн буруу ойлголт нь гепатит Б нь халдвар авсан нэг гэр бүлийн хэдэн үе дамжин удамшдаг гэсэн ойлголт юм. Гэвч гепатит Б нь генетикийн өвчин биш бөгөөд зөвхөн вирусаар үүсгэгдэж, гэр бүлийн гишүүдийн хувьд эхээс урагт дамжин халдварлах эсвэл ахуйн замаар цусаар дамжин халдварлаж болно. Гэр бүлүүд гепатит Б-ийн халдварыг шинжилгээ өгөх, вакцинд хамрагдах болон эмчилгээ хийлгэх замаар таслан зогсоох боломжтой. Гепатит Б яагаад аюултай вэ?Гепатит Б нь "чимээгүй халдвар" буюу хүмүүс халдвар авснаа ч мэдэхгүй байх тохиолдол их учраас маш аюултай юм.Гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авсан ихэнх хүмүүс халдвар авснаа мэдэхгүй бусдад цусаар болон биеэс ялгарч буй шингэнүүдээр дамжуулан халдварлуулж байдаг.Архаг халдвартай хүмүүс элэгний цирроз /хатуурал/ болон дутагдалд орж улмаар хорт хавдар болох эрсдэл илүү өндөр байдаг. Энэхүү вирус ямар нэгэн шинж тэмдэггүйгээр элгийг чимээгүй бөгөөд тасралтгүй гэмтээж байдаг. Хурц гепатит Б гэж юу вэ?Хурц гепатит Б-ийн халдвар нь зургаан сар хүртэл хугацаанд (шинж тэмдэгтэй болон шинж тэмдэггүй) үргэлжилдэг бөгөөд энэ хугацаанд халдвар авсан хүн бусдад вирус тараах магадлалтай. Хурц халдварын үед хоолны дуршил багасах, булчин болон үеэр өвдөх, бага градустай халуурах болон гэдэс өвдөх зэрэг шинж тэмдгүүд илэрч болно. Ихэнх хүмүүст эдгээр шинж тэмдгүүд илэрдэггүй бөгөөд хэрэв илэрсэн тохиолдолд халдвар авснаас хойш 60-150 хоног буюу ойролцоогоор 3 сарын дараагаас ажиглагдана. Зарим хүмүүст шинж тэмдгүүд нь дотор муухайрах, бөөлжих, шарлах (арьс, нүд шарлах), гэдэс цүдийх зэргээр хүчтэй илэрч болох ба энэ нь тэднийг эмнэлгийн тусламж авах шалтгаан болох нь бий. Энгийн цусны шинжилгээ нь тухайн хүнд гепатит Б вирус тэдний цусанд байгаа эсэхийг илрүүлж чадна. Хэрвээ та хурц гепатит Б вирустай гэж оношлогдсон бол эмч танаас дахин 6 сарын дотор цусны шинжилгээ авч, эдгэрч байна уу эсвэл архаг гепатит Б болон хүндэрч байгаа эсэхийг шалгана. Эмнэлгийн байгууллага таны цусан дахь гепатит Б вирус бүрэн байхгүй боллоо гэх хүртэл хэн нэгэнд халдвар тараахаас болгоомжлох хэрэгтэй. Түүнчлэн та өөрийн сексийн хамтрагч, гэр бүлийн гишүүд (хамт амьдарч буй, ойр байдаг)-ийг мөн гепатит Б-ийн шинжилгээнд хамруулах нь чухал. Хэрвээ тэд халдвар авсан бөгөөд гепатит Б-ийн вакцинд хамрагдаагүй тохиолдолд цуврал вакцинд хамрагдах шаардлагатай. Хурц гепатит Б-ийн халдварыг бүрэн арилгах эмчилгээ байдаггүй бөгөөд халдвар авсан насанд хүрэгчдийн бие аажмаар өөрөө нөхөн сэргээгддэг байна. Зарим тохиолдолд шинж тэмдэг хурцаар илэрч буй хүмүүс эмнэлэгт хэвтэж эмчлүүлэх нь бий. Энэ тохиолдолд амраах болон шинж тэмдгүүдийг арилгах нь гол зорилго болсон байдаг. Ховор тохиолдолд, амь насанд заналхийлж буй нөхцөл байдал буюу "Цочмог гепатит" нь шинэ хурц халдвараар үүсгэгдэж болох ба халдварлагдсан хүн гэнэтийн элэгний дутагдал болсноор яаралтай эмнэлгийн хяналтанд орох шаардлагатай. Хурц гепатит Б-ийн халдварын үед согтууруулах ундаа хэрэглэхгүй байх, тамхи татахаа багасгах эсвэл зогсоох, эрүүл хооллох, өөх тос ихтэй таргалуулах хоол хүнснээс зайлсхийх, аливаа эмчилгээг хийхдээ (жороор болон жоргүй олгож буй эмүүд, витамин, эрүүл мэндийн бүтээгдэхүүнүүд) таны элгэнд аюулгүй эсэхийг эмнэлгийн байгууллагатайгаа зөвлөлдөх хэрэгтэй. Энэ нь магадгүй өөр асуултуудыг асууж болон зөв цаг байж болох юм. Витаминууд болон элгэнд зориулсан эрүүл мэндийн нэмэлт бүтээгдэхүүнүүдийн хэрэглээ нь таны элгэнд эм болохоосоо илүү хордуулах шалтгаан болж болох юм. Эмчтэйгээ зөвлөлдөн шаардлагатай бол нэмэлт цусны шинжилгээ өгч, хурц халдвар бүрэн эдгэрч буй эсэхийг нягтлаарай. Архаг гепатит Б гэж юу вэ?Анх цусны шинжилгээгээр гепатит Б вирустай гэж оношлогдсоноос хойш зургаагаас дээш сарын дараа цусны шинжилгээгээр гепатит Б вирус эерэг гарсан бол архаг халдвартай гэж оношилж болно. Энэ нь дархлааны систем гепатит Б вирусыг устгах чадамжгүй бөгөөд цус болон элгэнд тус вирус байсаар байгааг илтгэнэ. Архаг халдварын үед өвчнийг анагаах үр дүнтэй эмчилгээнүүд байдаг хэдий ч бүрэн эдгээх боломжгүй юм. Хэрвээ та архаг халдвар авсан бол вирус таны цусанд таны үлдсэн амьдралын тань турш байсаар байх өндөр магадлалтай. Архаг гепатит Б вирустай хүмүүс мэдэлгүйгээр бусдад халдварлуулдаг. Түүнчлэн архаг гепатит Б нь элэгний хатуурал, хорт хавдар гэх мэт ноцтой өвчлөлүүдийг үүсгэх нь бий. Архаг гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авсан хүн бүр ноцтой элэгний өвчин тусаад байдаггүй. Хэдий тийм боловч халдвар аваагүй хүмүүстэй харьцуулахад өвчлөх магадлал харьцангуй өндөр байдаг. Хэдэн насандаа гепатит Б вирусын халдвар авсан нь архаг гепатит Б болох эрсдэлийг тодорхойлж байдаг. Халдвар авсан нярай болон нялх хүүхдүүдийн 90 хувь нь архаг гепатит Б вирусын халдвар болдог. Халдвар авсан 1-5 нас хүртэлх хүүхдүүдийн 50 хүртэлх хувь нь архаг гепатит Б өвчлөлттэй болдог. Халдвар авсан насанд хүрэгчдийн 5-10 хувь нь халдвар нь архаг гепатит Б өвчлөлтэй болдог (90 хувь нь эдгэрдэг). Архаг гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авснаа мэдэх нь мэдээж маш их сэтгэлээр унагадаг. Ихэнх хүмүүст халдварын ямар нэгэн шинж тэмдэг илэрдэггүй учир халдвар авснаас хойш удаан хугацааны дараа шинжилгээгээр архаг гепатит Б-ийн халдвартай гэдгээ мэдэх нь мэдээж хүндээр тусна. Сайн мэдээ гэвэл архаг гепатит Б халдвартай ихэнх хүмүүс урт удаан бөгөөд эрүүл амьдрах нь бий. Халдвар авсан жирэмсэн эмэгтэй төрөлтийн явцад нярайд вирус дамжуулах магадлалтай. Нярай хүүхдүүд төрөх үедээ архаг халдвар авах эрсдэл өндөр учраас Дэлхий Эрүүл Мэндийн байгууллага (ДЭМБ), АНУ-ын Өвчний Хяналт болон Урьдчилан Сэргийлэх Төв (ӨХУСТ) нярай хүүхдүүдийг төрснөөс 12-24 цагийн дотор гепатит Б вирусын вакциныг анхны тунгаар тарихыг санал болгож байна. Хэрвээ та жирэмсэн бөгөөд халдвар авсан бол таны хүүхэд төрснөөсөө хойш 12-24 цагийн дотор гепатит Б вирусын эсрэг вакциныг анхны тунгаар тариулах ёстойг анхаарна уу. Архаг гепатит Б вирусын халдварыг бүрэн эмчлэх арга байхгүй ч гепатит Б вирус элгийг гэмтээхээс хамгаалах үр дүнтэй эмийн эмчилгээнүүд байдаг. Түүнчлэн ойрын ирээдүйд уг өвчнийг эмчлэх тал дээр ахиц дэвшил гарч илүү сайн үйлчилгээ бүхий эмүүд туршигдаж байна. Хэдий архаг гепатит Б вирустай хүмүүс халдвар аваагүй хүмүүстэй харьцуулахад ноцтой элэгний өвчлөл эсвэл элэгний хорт хавдар тусах эрсдэл өндөр байдаг ч тухайн хүн өөрөө эрсдэлийг бууруулахын тулд хийх энгийн зүйлс бий. Зургаан сар тутамд (эсвэл жилдээ нэг удаа) гепатит Б вирусын талаар мэдлэгтэй элэгний чиглэлээр мэргэшсэн эмч, эмнэлгийн байгууллагад тогтмол хандаж үзүүлснээр элэгнийхээ талаарх үзүүлэлтүүдийг хянах. Архаг гепатит Б-ийн эмчилгээ тань хир үр дүнтэй байгаа, болзошгүй элэгний өвчлөл, хорт хавдраас сэргийлж чадаж байгаа эсэх талаар хариуцсан эмчтэйгээ ярилцаж байх. Аль болох эрт илрүүлэх нь илүү үр дүнтэй учир хариуцсан эмчдээ хуваарийн дагуу үзүүлэх бүртээ элэгний хорт хавдрын шинжилгээ хийлгэж байх Архи болон тамхи нь таны элгэнд ачаалал үүсгэх учраас хэрэглээгээ хязгаарлах эсвэл татгалзах хэрэгтэй Шарж хуурсан болон өөх тос ихтэй хоол хүнс таны элгэнд муу учраас эрүүл хоолны дэглэм барих нь зүйтэй. "Архаг вирус тээгч" гэж хэн бэ?Архаг гепатит Б-ийн халдвар авсан хүнийг эмч "архаг халдвар тээгч" гэж үздэг. "Архаг халдвар тээгч" гэдэг нь архаг гепатит Б вирусын халдвар авсан бөгөөд халдвар тараах магадлалтай, эмчийн хяналтанд буй өвчтөнийг хэлнэ. Гепатит Б вирусыг эмчлэх арга бий юу?Ихэнх насанд хүрэгчид хурц халдварын үед ямар нэгэн эмчилгээний шаардлагагүй өөрсдөө эдгэх нь бий. Харин архаг гепатит Б вирустай хүүхдүүд, нярай болон насанд хүрэгчдийн хувьд одоогоор уг өвчнийг бүрэн эмчлэх арга хараахан байхгүй байна. Гэвч эмчилгээ хийснээр вирусыг удаашруулж элэгний өвчлөл болох явцыг удаашруулж чадна. Гепатит Б вирус бага байх тусам элгийг гэмтээх аюул бага байна. Алхам тутамд хөгжиж буй судалгаа шинжилгээний дүнд архаг гепатит Б-г эмчлэх эмчилгээг ойрын ирээдүйд бий болгох итгэл найдвар байсаар байна. Манай Drug Watch (эмийн жагсаалт) хуудсанд зочилж туршилтын шатанд шалгаж буй үйлчилгээ өндөртэй эмийн жагсаалтуудыг сонирхоорой. Гепатит Б-г эмчлэх ямар эмчилгээний аргууд байна вэ?Хурц халдварын үед ерөнхийдөө шинж тэмдгийг арилгах, тайвшруулахаас өөр эмчилгээ байдаггүй. Харин архаг халдварын үед хийгдэх хэд хэдэн боломжит эмчилгээнүүд бий. Архаг гепатит Б-ийн халдвартай хүн болгон эмчилгээ хийлгэх шаардлага байдаггүй гэдгийг ойлгох нь маш чухал. Эмч танд эмчилгээ хэрэгтэй юу эсвэл хяналтанд байх хэрэгтэй юу гэдгийг шийдэхэд тань тусална. Гепатит Б вирусын идэвхжлийг бууруулах буюу зогсоож элэгний үрэвсэл, гэмтлийг багасгадаг хэд хэдэн вирусын эсрэг эмчилгээ байдаг. Энэхүү вирусын эсрэг эмийг өдөрт нэг ширхэгээр 1 жил болон түүнээс дээш хугацаагаар өгдөг. АНУ-ын Хүнс, Эмзүйн Алба (ХЭА)-нд бүртгэлтэй уг вирусын эсрэг 6 төрлийн эм байдгаас гурвыг нь "нэн тэргүүнд" санал болгодог. Үүнд: тенофовир дисопроксил (Viread/TDF), тенофовир алафенамид (Vemlidy/TAF) болон энтекавир (Baraclude) эмүүд орно. "Нэн тэргүүнд" санал болгож буй уг эмүүд нь хамгийн үр дүнтэй бөгөөд аюулгүй вирусын эсрэг эмүүд юм. "Нэн тэргүүн"-д санал болгож буй эмүүд нөлөө үзүүлэхгүй, үр дүн багатай байгаа, эсвэл уг эмүүд байхгүй тохиолдолд телбивудин (Tyzeka, Sebivo), адефовир дипивоксил (Hepsera) болон ламивудин (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin) зэргээс мөн сонгох боломжтой. Хэдийгээр ХЭА-аас эдгээр эмүүдийг архаг гепатит Б вирусын эсрэг хэрэглэхээр баталсан ч уг эмүүд нь өвчнийг бүрэн эмчилж чадахгүй. Эдгээр эмүүд нь вирус элгийг гэмтээх болон хорт хавдар үүсгэх эрсдлийг бууруулж байдаг. Архаг гепатит Б-ийн эмчилгээг эхлүүлэхээс өмнө мэргэжлийн эмчээр хянуулж вирусын эсрэг эмчилгээг эхлүүлэх эсвэл зогсоохыг шийднэ. Түүнчлэн гепатит Б вирусыг хянахад туслах дархлааны системийг сэргээх дархлааны модулятор эмүүд байдаг. Тэдгээр эмүүдийг 6 сараас 1 жил хүртэлх хугацаагаар тариагаар хэрэглэх боломжтой. Хамгийн элбэг хэрэглэгддэг нь интерферон альфа-2b (Intron A) PEG интерферон (Pegasys) нар юм. Та эмчилгээгээ сонгохдоо танд хамгийн сайн тохирох эмийг эмчтэйгээ зөвлөлдөж шийдээрэй. Олон хүмүүсийн хувьд эдгээр эмчилгээнүүд нь гепатит Б вирусыг бууруулж эсвэл тархалтыг зогсоодог. Үр дүнд нь вирусын элгийг гэмтээх явцыг удаашруулж, өвчтөн хэдэн сарын дотор биеийн байдал сайжирна. Урт хугацааны турш хэрэглэж байгаа өвчтөнүүдэд зарим тохиолдолд вирусыг таслан зогсоодог байна. Манай Drug Watch (эмийн жагсаалт) хуудсанд зочилж ХЭА-ны зөвшөөрөлтэй болон туршилтын шатанд шалгаж буй үйлчилгээ өндөртэй эмийн жагсаалтуудыг сонирхоорой General Information  What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is the world's most common liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks and injures the liver. It is transmitted through blood, unprotected sex, shared or re-used needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery. Most infected adults are able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus without any problems. However, some adults and most infected babies and children are unable to get rid of the virus and will develop chronic (life-long) infection. The good news is that there is a safe vaccine to prevent a hepatitis B infection and new treatments for those already infected with hepatitis B. How many people are affected by hepatitis B?Worldwide, 2 billion people (1 out of 3 people) have been infected with hepatitis B; and 257 million people are chronically infected (which means they are unable to get rid of the virus). An estimated 700,000 people die each year from hepatitis B and its complications. Why is hepatitis B more common in some parts of the world?Hepatitis B can infect any person of any age or ethnicity, but people from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, are at much higher risk for getting infected. Hepatitis B is also common among Americans who were born (or whose parents were born) in these regions. Hepatitis B is more common in certain regions of the world because there are so many more people already infected with hepatitis B in these regions. Although hepatitis B is not an "Asian disease" or an “African disease,” it affects hundreds of millions of people from these regions – so there are more people who can pass the hepatitis B virus on to others. This increases the risk that you could get infected. Since there is a smaller number of Westerners who are infected, this group has a lower risk of infection. In regions where hepatitis B is common, people are usually infected as newborns - from a mother who unknowingly passes the virus to her baby during delivery. Young children are also at risk if they live in close daily contact with an infected family member. Babies and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection because their young immune systems have trouble getting rid of the virus. If you, or your family, is from an area of the map that is darker blue, you might be at greater risk for hepatitis B infection and should talk to a doctor about getting tested. Why should I be concerned about hepatitis B?Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. It's important to get tested because early diagnosis can lead to early treatment which can save your life. Also, people who are infected can spread the virus to others. Since most people don't know they are infected, they are unknowingly spreading it to many other people. If people are not tested, hepatitis B can pass through several generations in one family and throughout the community. One common myth is that hepatitis B can be "inherited" since several generations in one family may be infected. But hepatitis B is NOT a genetic disease -- hepatitis B is caused by a virus, which is often transmitted among family members due to mother-to-child transmission or accidental household exposure to blood. Families can break the cycle of hepatitis B infection by getting tested, vaccinated and treated. Why is hepatitis B so dangerous?Hepatitis B is dangerous because it is a “silent infection” that can infect people without them knowing it. Most people who are infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and can unknowingly pass the virus to others through their blood and infected bodily fluids. For those who become chronically infected, there is an increased risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer later in life. The virus can quietly and continuously attack the liver over many years without being detected. What is acute hepatitis B?An acute hepatitis B infection may last up to six months (with or without symptoms) and infected persons are able to pass the virus to others during this time. Symptoms of an acute infection may include loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, low-grade fever, and possible stomach pain. Although most people do not experience symptoms, they can appear 60-150 days after infection, with the average being 3 months. Some people may experience more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), or a bloated stomach that may cause them to see a health care provider. A simple blood test can tell a person if the hepatitis B virus is in their blood. If you have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis B, the doctor will need to test your blood again in 6 months to figure out if you have recovered, or if you have developed a chronic hepatitis B infection. Until your health care provider confirms that your blood test shows that there is no more hepatitis B virus in your blood, it is important to protect others from a possible infection. It is also important to have your sexual partner(s) and family members (or those you live in close household contact with) tested for hepatitis B. If they have not been infected – and have not received the hepatitis B vaccine – then they should start the hepatitis B vaccine series. People who have acute hepatitis B are not prescribed specific hepatitis B treatment – there is no treatment that will get rid of an acute hepatitis B infection, and most people infected as adults recover on their own. Sometimes, a person with severe symptoms may be hospitalized for general support. Rest and managing symptoms are the primary goals of this medical care. A rare, life-threatening condition called “fulminant hepatitis” can occur with a new acute infection and requires immediate, urgent medical attention since a person can go into sudden liver failure. Simple tips for taking care of your liver during an acute hepatitis B infection are to avoid alcohol, stop or limit smoking, eat healthy foods, avoid greasy or fatty foods, and talk to your health care provider about any medications you are taking (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements) to make sure they are safe for your liver. This is a good time to ask any other questions you may have. The use of vitamins and liver health supplements will likely not assist your recovery and may actually cause more harm than good to the liver. Be sure to follow-up with your health care provider for any additional blood tests that are needed to confirm your recovery from an acute infection. What is chronic hepatitis B?People who test positive for the hepatitis B virus for more than six months (after their first blood test result) are diagnosed as having a chronic infection. This means their immune system was not able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus and it still remains in their blood and liver. There are effective ways to treat and manage a chronic infection, but there is no cure. If you are chronically infected, the virus will likely remain in your blood for the rest of your life. People who have chronic hepatitis B can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Chronic hepatitis B can also lead to serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Not every person who is chronically infected will develop serious liver disease. However, they have a greater chance than someone who is not infected.The risk of developing a chronic hepatitis B infection is related to the age at which one first becomes infected with the hepatitis B virus: 90% of infected newborns and babies will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection Up to 50% of infected children (1-5 years) will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection 5-10% of infected adults will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection (that is, 90% will recover) Learning that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection can be very upsetting. Because most people do not have symptoms and can be diagnosed decades after their initial exposure to the hepatitis B virus, it can be a shock and a surprise to be diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B infection. The good news is that most people with chronic hepatitis B should expect to live a long and healthy life. Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their newborns during childbirth. Therefore, since the risk of newborns becoming chronically infected at birth is high, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all infants receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after birth. If you are pregnant and you know that you are infected, you can make sure that your baby gets the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12-24 hours after delivery! While there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, there are effective drug therapies that can control the hepatitis B virus and stop it from damaging the liver. There are also promising new drugs in the research phase that could provide a cure in the very near future. Although the risk of developing a serious liver disease or liver cancer is higher for those living with chronic hepatitis B than those who are not infected, there are still many simple things a person can do to help reduce their risk. Schedule regular visits every six months (or at least every year) with a liver specialist or a health care provider who is knowledgeable about hepatitis B so they can monitor the health of your liver. Talk to your health care provider about whether treatment for your chronic hepatitis B infection would be helpful in preventing serious liver disease or liver cancer. Make sure that your health care provider screens you for liver cancer during your regular visits since early detection equals more treatment options and a longer life. Avoid or limit alcohol and smoking since both cause a lot of stress to your liver. Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables since fried, greasy foods are hard on your liver. What does it mean to be a “chronic carrier”?When someone has a chronic hepatitis B infection, their doctor may refer to them as being a “chronic carrier.” Being a “chronic carrier” means that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection, can pass the virus on to others, and you should be managed by a doctor for your infection. Is there a cure for hepatitis B?Most adults will recover from an acute infection on their own without the need for medication. For adults, children and infants who develop a chronic hepatitis B infection, there is currently no cure. But the good news is there are treatments that can help slow the progression of liver disease in chronically infected persons by slowing down the virus. If there is less hepatitis B virus being produced, then there is less damage being done to the liver. With all of the new exciting research, there is great hope that a cure will be found for chronic hepatitis B in the near future. Visit our Drug Watch for a list of other promising drugs in development. What options are there to treat my hepatitis B?For an acute infection, there is generally no treatment other than rest and supportive measures to manage any symptoms. For chronic hepatitis B, there are several treatments available. It is important to understand that not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. Your doctor will help you decide if you need medication or if you can wait and monitor your condition. There are several antiviral medications that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus from replicating, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These antivirals are taken as a pill once a day for at least 1 year, usually longer. There are 6 U.S. FDA approved antivirals, but only three “first-line” antivirals are recommended: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. For people who do not respond to, or have access to, the first-line antiviral treatments, other options are available: telbivudine (Tyzeka, Sebivo), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), and lamivudine (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin). Although the FDA has approved these antivirals for chronic hepatitis B, they do not provide a complete cure. They can, however, greatly decrease the risk of developing liver damage and liver cancer. Antivirals are not meant to be stopped and started, which is why a thorough evaluation by a knowledgeable doctor is so important before beginning treatment for chronic hepatitis B. There are also immunomodulator drugs that boost the immune system to help control the hepatitis B virus. They are given as injections over 6 months to 1 year. The most commonly prescribed include interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) and pegylated interferon (Pegasys). You and your doctor will need to discuss the treatment options before deciding which one, if any, is best for you. For many people, these medications will decrease or stop the hepatitis B virus. This results in patients feeling better within a few months because liver damage from the virus is slowed down, or even reversed in some cases, when taken long-term. For a complete list of FDA approved drugs and other promising drugs in development for hepatitis B, visit our Drug Watch.

  https://www.hepb.org/languages/mongolian/general-information/