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  • Clinical Trials in Liver Cancer: What You Need to Know

    Myth: Clinical trials are only for people with advanced stages of cancer. Fact: No! Trials are available for all stages of cancer, not just for people who have advanced cancer that is not responding to treatment. If you or a loved one needs treatment for liver cancer, clinical trials are an option to think about. Clinical trials are essential for developing new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer. Researchers run clinical trials to find out whether new treatments are safe and effective and work better than current treatments. When you take part in a clinical trial, you add to our knowledge about cancer and help improve cancer care. Myth: My doctor decides whether I should participate in a clinical trial. Fact: No! You (or the person who needs cancer treatment) decide whether to participate in the trial. Your health care team, including your doctors, will give you the information you need to help you make the decision. That's why it's important for you to  understand what trials are and how they work. What does participation in a trial involve? What are your rights and responsibilities? And what happens after the trial has ended? Join the Hepatitis B Foundation’s free webinar “Clinical Trials in Liver Cancer” to learn the answers to these questions. Developed by Liver Cancer Connect, the Hepatitis B Foundation’s liver cancer program, in collaboration with The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), and Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, the webinar will explain what you need to know to help you decide about participating in a trial. Please register to join the conversation on Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30 pm US Eastern Time.  

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/clinical-trials-in-liver-cancer-what-you-need-to-know/
  • Three New Studies Help Clarify Optimal Use of Combination Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

    Three new studies presented today at the International Liver Congress 2014 have helped clarify the optimal use of combination therapy with peginterferon and nucleoside analogues (NUCs) to achieve the best treatment outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). "Together these ground-breaking data will go a long way to influencing future CHB treatment guidelines," said EASL's Educational Councillor Professor Cihan Yurdaydin from the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ankara, Turkey. In the first study , CHB patients who had failed on prior long-term exposure to one of the nucleoside analogue (NUC) antivirals demonstrated high rates of complete response and HBsAg loss when prescribed a sequential combination of peginterferon and NUC. In the second study , adding peginterferon to the nucleoside analogue entecavir was shown to enhance response rates and viral decline in HBeAg-positive CHB patients with compensated liver-disease, was generally safe and well tolerated, and may facilitate the discontinuation of entecavir. Finally, data from a third study suggested that adding on a NUC for six weeks to PegIFNalfa-2a does not enhance treatment response, with no increase in HBeAg seroconversion rates beyond that achieved by PegIFNα-2a alone after 24 weeks follow-up. Continue reading more...

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/three-new-studies-help-clarify-optimal-use-of-combination-therapy-in-chronic-hepatitis-b-patients/
  • Inexpensive Test Could Reveal Liver Cancer Risk

    Could an inexpensive test, used in conjunction with current, traditional HCC testing help reveal one's liver cancer risk? Research for the V-chip is described in an article published in this week's  Health Canal.  Scientists from the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will receive about $2.1 million from the National Cancer Institute to learn whether a small, low-cost device can help assess a person's risk of developing a common form of liver cancer. The four-year project is based on technology previously developed by Houston Methodist nanomedicine faculty member Lidong Qin, Ph.D., who is the new project's principal investigator. Qin's "V-Chip," or volumetric bar-chart chip, will be used to detect biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common cause of liver cancer. The device only requires a drop of blood from a finger prick. The V-Chip allows the testing of up to 50 different molecules in a blood or urine sample. "Most of the burden of HCC is borne by people who have low income, with the highest incidence rates reported in regions of the world where infection with hepatitis B virus is endemic," Qin said. "Developing an accurate and low-cost technology that assesses the risk of cancer could make a big difference to people who ordinarily can't afford expensive tests." M.D. Anderson Department of Epidemiology Chair Xifeng Wu is the project's co-principal investigator. Qin and Wu will see whether the V-Chip accurately detects HCC biomarkers. The researchers will also determine which combination of these biomarkers proves most predictive of disease. Among the biomarkers the researchers will look at are antigens of hepatitis viruses B and C, aflatoxin (a fungal toxin that at high doses is associated with cancer risk), and metabolic indicators of alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, and iron overdose. Tests of the V-chip will not replace traditional testing methods, but rather be

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/inexpensive-test-could-reveal-liver-cancer-risk/
  • Hepatitis B Awareness Month at HBF

    … the Rocky Steps with us! All participants get a “B a hero” t-shirt and a cape. City Councilman David Oh will present a city council resolution, and a surprise performance will take place when we reach the middle level of the steps. Saturday, June 1 Independence Dragon Boat Regatta 8am-5pm @ Schuylkill River (Kelly Drive, near St. John’s Boathouse) Come cheer for team Philadelphia Hep B Heroes as well paddle our way to victory! The regatta is a family event with lots of entertainment such as cultural performances, rock climbing, and of course the exciting dragon boat races. So visit the Hepatitis B Foundation/Team Philadelphia Hep B Heroes tent for some snacks and cheer for our heroes. Additional event: Saturday, May 11 Hepatitis B Screening & Mini Health Fair 10am-1pm @ AmeriCare Pharmacy (600 Washington Avenue, Unit 18E, Philadelphia) May Hepatitis Awareness Month would be incomplete without a screening event. In collaboration with the Jefferson Medical College APAMSA medical students and the AmeriCare Pharmacy, we will be providing free hepatitis B screening tests for those who were born in Asia or whose parents were born in Asia. Additional service such as blood pressure and blood glucose measurements will also be available at this event.

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-awareness-month-at-hbf/
  • Sheree Martin Retires from the Hepatitis B Information and Support List

    After 13 Years, our Mammablondie has retired as a listowner of the Hepatitis B Information and Support List.  Sheree Martin has been List Mom to thousands of hepBers who have come to us from all over the world.  Like a true mother, she was quick to give hugs, the cyber kind, just when we needed them most.  And when we squabbled, she was there to call "time out". As for the "information" component of our list, Sheree has contributed more than anyone else.  She has spent countless hours scanning the Internet daily for HBV research and news.  The result of her efforts is our Hepatitis B Research List. For those wishing for information only, you can select send a blank email to HBV_Research-on@mail-list.com For a number of years the PKIDS organization hired her to do the same thing for them, provide them with daily bulletins about kids' infectious diseases. Sheree donated the money she earned to our listserv in order to cover miscellaneous  expenses. In the beginning days of the List, John Kirk and I recognized immediately what a gem Sheree was, and we invited her to join us as a third listowner. She was smart, she was a nurse, she had IT skills, she was a good writer, and she knew how to referee when the two male egos would wrestle. Sheree lives in the same small town where she grew up, on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains.  She's proud of what she calls her hillbilly roots. We all got to know and love Sheree's mother, Yvonne, when she accompanied Sheree to the Hepatitis B Foundation's patient conferences.  Not only did Yvonne have HBV, but in 1999, Sheree's only sibling, Mike, died of liver cancer associated with HBV.  Fighting HBV was a very personal battle for Sheree. We'll need two people to fill Sheree's shoes on the List.  Yvonne Drazic (Australia) will be our new listowner, and Christine Kukka (Maine) will take over the Research List. At home in that picturesque country village, Sheree will have more time to do what she loves most--  being a

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/sheree-martin-is-retiring-from-the-hepatitis-b-information-and-support-list/

  • 예방 및 백신 접종 B형 간염은 어떻게 감염되나요?B형 간염은 혈액으로 퍼지는 바이러스로 인해 발병하는 감염 질환입니다. 아래 항목들은 B형 간염이 타인에게 전염되는 가장 흔한 방법입니다.• 감염된 혈액 또는 체액과의 직접적인 접촉 • 임산 또는 분만 시 감염된 산모로부터 신생아에게 전파 • 감염된 파트너와의 피임 도구를 사용하지 않은 성관계 • 공유 또는 재사용된 주삿바늘(예: 불법 약물을 위한 주삿바늘 공유 또는 약품을 위해 적절히 멸균되지 않은 주삿바늘의 재사용, 침술, 문신 및 귀/신체 피어싱) • 비전문 의사, 치과의사 또는 이발사가 사용한 비멸균 의료 기기 또는 주삿바늘 B형 간염은 일상적으로 전파되나요?아니요, B형 간염은 일상적인 접촉으로 전파되지 않습니다. 공기, 포옹, 접촉, 재채기, 기침, 변기 시트 또는 문손잡이로 B형 간염에 걸릴 수는 없습니다. 감염된 사람과 함께 먹거나 마시는 행위 또는 B형 간염이 있는 사람이 준비한 음식을 먹는 것으로 B형 간염에 걸릴 수 없습니다. B형 간염에 더 쉽게 걸리는 사람은 어떤 사람인가요? 모든 사람에게 B형 간염에 걸릴 위험이 어느 정도 있지만, 더 쉽게 걸릴 수 있는 사람들이 있습니다. 여러분의 직업과 생활 방식, 또는 B형 간염이 있는 가정에 태어나는 것만으로도 감염 확률을 높일 수 있습니다. 다음은 가장 흔한 “고위험”군 항목의 일부일 뿐이며, 완전한 목록이 아님을 알아두시기 바랍니다.• B형 간염을 가진 사람과 결혼했거나 가정에서 밀접하게 생활하며 접촉하는 사람. 이는 성인 및 어린이 모두 포함됩니다.• B형 간염이 흔한 국가에서 태어난 사람 또는 부모가 B형 간염이 흔한 국가에서 태어난 사람(아시아, 아프리카 일부 및 남아메리카, 동유럽 및 중동). • B형 간염이 매우 흔한 국가에 살거나 해당 국가에 여행을 간 사람(아시아, 아프리카 일부 및 남아메리카, 동유럽 및 중동).• 성생활을 하는 성인 및 청소년 • 남성과 성관계를 가지는 남성 • 감염된 산모에게서 태어난 신생아 • 의료계 근로자 및 혈액에 노출되는 기타 직군• 응급구조사 • 신장 투석을 받는 환자• 그룹 홈, 기관 또는 교정 시설 거주자 및 직원• 1992년 이전에 수혈받은 사람 또는 최근 적절하지 않은 검사를 받은 혈액을 수혈받은 사람• 과거 및 현재 주사형 약물 사용자 • 문신이 있거나 신체 피어싱을 한 사람 • 비전문 의사, 치과 의사 또는 이발사를 이용하는 사람 B형 간염 백신에 대한 권고 사항은 무엇이 있나요? 세계 보건 기구(WHO) 및 미국 질병통제예방센터(CDC)에서는 B형 간염 백신을 모든 신생아 및 최대 18세까지의 청소년에게 권고합니다. CDC에서는 또한 고위험군의 성인에게도 백신 접종을 권고합니다. B형 간염 백신은 출생한 모든 신생아 및 18세까지의 청소년을 대상으로 권고하는 안전하고 효과적인 백신입니다. B형 간염 백신은 또한 당뇨병을 앓는 성인 및 직업, 생활 방식, 주거 상황 또는 출생 국가로 인해 감염 위험이 높은 사람들에게 권고합니다. 모든 사람에게 B형 간염에 걸릴 위험이 어느 정도 있기 때문에, 모든 성인은 평생 예방할 수 있는 만성 간 질환으로부터의 보호를 위해 B형 간염 백신 접종을 진지하게 고려해야 합니다. B형 간염 백신은 안전한가요? 예, B형 간염 백신은 아주 안전하고 효과적입니다. 사실 이 백신은 전 세계 간암 발병 원인의 80%를 차지하는 B형 간염으로부터 보호하기 때문에 최초의 “항암 백신”이라 할 수 있습니다. 이 백신은 10억 회 이상의 투여분이 전 세계에 공급되며, 의료 및 과학 연구에서는 B형 백신이 이제까지 개발된 가장 안전한 백신 중 하나임을 증명하고 있습니다. B형 간염 백신으로 B형 간염에 걸릴 수 있나요?아니요, 백신으로는 B형 간염에 걸릴 수 없습니다. 백신은 실험실에서 합성 효모 생성물로 만든 것입니다. 가장 흔한 부작용은 주사를 맞은 부위가 빨갛게 되고 쓰라린 것입니다. B형 간염 백신 접종 일정은 어떻게 되나요?B형 간염 백신은 병원 또는 지역 보건 부서 또는 의원에서 접종할 수 있습니다. 11~15세의 청소년들을 위한 단축형 2회 투여와 2017년 미국 식품의약국(FDA)에서 성인에 대한 사용을 승인한 2회 투여용 신규 백신이 있지만, 보통 일련의 B형 간염 백신 접종을 마치려면 3번 투여해야 합니다. 중요한 것은 감염된 산모에게서 태어난 아이들이 분만실에서나 생후 12시간 이내에 B형 간염 백신의 첫 번째 투여분을 접종해야 한다는 것을 알아두는 것입니다.• 첫 번째 주사 - 시기는 관계없으나 신생아는 분만실에서 접종해야 함• 두 번째 주사 - 첫 번째 주사에서 최소 1개월(또는 28일) 후• 세 번째 주사 - 첫 번째 주사에서 6개월 후(또는 두 번째 주사에서 최소 2개월 후)첫 번째와 세 번째 주사 사이에 최소 16주의 간격이 있어야 합니다. 백신 접종 일정이 지연되더라도 일련의 백신 접종을 다시 시작할 필요는 없으며, 투여한 지 몇 년이 지났더라도 접종이 끝난 단계에서 계속하면 됩니다.B형 간염으로부터 안전한지 확실히 하려면 "B형 간염 항체(HBsAb)"를 확인하기 위한 간단한 혈액 검사를 요청하십시오. 이를 통해 백신 접종이 성공적이었는지 확인할 수 있습니다. B형 간염의 예방에는 또 어떤 다른 방법이 있나요?B형 간염은 감염된 혈액 및 체액으로 전파되기 때문에, 백신 접종이 완료되기 전까지 잠재적인 감염으로부터 자신을 보호할 수 있는 몇 가지 간단한 방법이 있습니다.• 혈액 또는 체액을 직접 만지지 말 것 • 성적 파트너와는 콘돔을 사용할 것 • 불법 약물, 처방약 오용 및 이러한 약물의 주사를 삼갈 것 • 면도날, 치약, 귀걸이 및 손톱깎이 같은 날카로운 물건의 공유를 삼갈 것 • 약품, 치과 치료, 침술, 문신, 귀 및 신체 피어싱에 멸균 바늘 및 장비를 사용하는지 확인할 것 • 흘린 피는 장갑을 끼고 표백제와 물을 섞은 용액으로 닦아낼 것 • 혈액을 만지거나 닦아낸 후에는 비누와 물로 깨끗이 손을 씻을 것 • 가장 중요한 것은 B형 간염 백신을 접종하는 것입니다!   Hepatitis B 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/korean/hepatitis-b-vaccination/

  • B형 간염과 함께 생활하기  B형 간염에서 회복할 수 있나요?새로 감염된 대부분의 건강한 성인은 문제없이 회복할 수 있습니다. 그러나 영아 또는 어린이들은 바이러스를 성공적으로 제거하기 어려울 수 있습니다.• 성인 – 90%의 건강한 성인은 바이러스를 제거하며 문제없이 회복할 수 있습니다. 10%의 사람들에서 만성 B형 간염으로 발전합니다. • 어린이 – 감염된 1~5세 어린이 중 최대 50%가 만성 B형 간염으로 발전합니다.• 신생아 – 90%가 만성적으로 감염됩니다. 10%만이 바이러스를 제거합니다. “급성”과 “만성” B형 간염의 차이점은 무엇인가요?바이러스에 노출된 후 6개월간은 B형 간염이 “급성”으로 간주됩니다. 이는 B형 간염에서 회복하는 데 걸리는 평균 기간입니다. 6개월 이후에도 여전히 검사 결과가 B형 간염 바이러스 양성(HBsAg+)으로 나올 경우, 평생 계속되는 “만성” B형 간염이 있는 것으로 간주합니다. 급성 B형 간염이 있으면 몸이 아프게 되나요?B형 간염은 많은 경우 증상이 발현되지 않기 때문에 “소리 없는 감염”으로 불립니다. 대부분의 사람은 건강하다고 느끼고 감염된 사실을 모르고 있어, 자신도 모르는 새에 바이러스를 타인에 전파할 수 있습니다. 그 외의 사람들은 감기로 착각할만한 열, 피로, 관절 또는 근육 통증이나 식욕 부진 같은 경미한 증상을 보입니다. 흔하지는 않지만 더욱 심각한 증상으로는 심한 메스꺼움 및 구토, 황색 안구 및 피부(일명 “황달”), 복부 팽만이 포함되며 이러한 증상은 즉시 치료받아야 하며 병원에 입원해야 할 수도 있습니다. “급성” B형 간염에서 낫게 되면 이를 어떻게 알 수 있나요?의사가 혈액 검사를 통해 신체에서 바이러스가 신체에서 제거되고 방어적 항체(HBsAb+)가 생성된 것을 확인한 경우, 향후 B형 간염으로부터 안전할 수 있고 더이상 간염이 타인에게 전염되지 않습니다. 만성 B형 간염 진단을 받게 되면 어떻게 해야 하나요?B형 간염 바이러스에 대한 양성 검사 결과가 6개월 이상 계속되는 경우, 이는 만성 B형 간염에 걸렸다는 것을 나타냅니다. 환자는 B형 간염에 대해 정통한 간장학 의사(간 전문의), 소화기 의사 또는 가족 주치의와의 진료를 예약해야 합니다. 의사는 혈액 검사 및 가능한 경우 간 초음파 검사를 요청하여 체내 B형 간염 바이러스가 얼마나 활동적인지 평가하며 간 건강 상태를 관찰합니다. 담당 의사는 B형 간염 상태를 지켜보기 위해 일 년에 최소 한 번에서 두 번 정도의 진료를 통해 환자가 치료법으로 도움을 받을 수 있을지 판단합니다. 모든 만성 감염자는 치료 시작 여부와 관계없이 일 년에 최소 한 번(또는 더 자주) 의사에게 정기 추적 진료를 받아야 합니다. 바이러스 활성화가 덜하고 손상이 적거나 없다고 해도, 이는 시간이 지남에 따라 변할 수 있으므로 정기적인 관찰이 매우 중요합니다. B형 간염에 만성적으로 감염된 대부분의 사람은 길고 행복한 삶을 누릴 수 있습니다. 만성 B형 간염을 진단받게 되면, 혈액 및 간에 평생 바이러스가 남아 있게 됩니다. 몸이 아프지 않더라도 바이러스를 타인에게 옮길 수도 있다는 것을 알아두는 것이 중요합니다. 이것이 바로 가정에서 밀접하게 생활하며 접촉하는 모든 사람과 성적 파트너가 B형 간염 백신을 접종하도록 하는 것이 중요한 이유입니다. B형 간염 상태를 관찰하려면 어떤 검사가 시행되나요?B형 간염 상태를 관찰하기 위해 의사들이 공통적으로 사용하는 검사 종류에는 B형 간염 혈액 패널, 간 기능 검사(ALT, AST), B형 간염 e-항원(HBeAg), B형 간염 e-항체(HBeAb), B형 간염 DNA 정량(바이러스 수치) 및 간 영상진단검사(초음파, FibroScan[간 섬유화 스캔] 또는 CT 스캔)가 포함됩니다. 만성 B형 간염 완치를 위한 치료약이 있나요?현재 만성 B형 간염 완치를 위한 치료약은 없지만, 좋은 소식은 바이러스를 둔화시켜 만성 감염된 사람의 간 질환 진행을 늦출 수 있는 치료법이 있다는 것입니다. B형 간염 바이러스가 적게 생성되면 간에 끼치는 손상도 줄어들게 됩니다. 이러한 약물은 흔하지는 않지만 종종 바이러스를 제거하는 경우도 있습니다. 새롭게 기대되는 연구들을 통해 볼 때, 머지않아 만성 B형 간염에 대한 치료약이 발견될 것이라는 희망을 품을 수 있습니다. 개발 중인 다른 유망 신약의 목록을 보시려면 저희 Drug Watch(의약품 동향) 페이지를 방문하십시오. 만성 B형 간염을 치료할 승인 의약품이 있나요?현행 B형 간염 치료법은 항바이러스제와 면역 조절제, 이렇게두 가지 일반적인 분류로 나눌 수 있습니다. 항바이러스제 - 항바이러스제는 B형 간염 바이러스를 둔화시키거나 확산을 중단시켜 간의 염증과 손상을 감소시킵니다. 이 약품은 하루 1정을 최소 1년간, 보통 그보다 더 오랫동안 복용합니다. 미국 FDA 승인 항바이러스제는 6가지가 있지만, 테노포비르 디소프록실(Viread/TDF), 테노포비르 알라페나미드(Vemlidy/TAF), 엔테카비르(Baraclude)라는 초기 항바이러스제 3가지만 권고합니다. 초기 항바이러스제는 더욱 안전하며 가장 효과적이기 때문에 권고합니다. 또한 기존 항바이러스제보다 더 나은 내성 프로필을 보여주고 있으며, 이는 처방된 약을 복용할 경우 돌연변이 및 내성 발생 가능성이 적다는 것을 뜻합니다. 내성이 커지게 되면 바이러스의 치료 및 통제가 어려워집니다. 면역 조절제 - 이 약품은 B형 간염 바이러스 통제를 위해 면역 체계를 강화하는 약품입니다. 이는 주사 형태로 6개월에서 1년에 걸쳐 투여됩니다. 가장 흔한 처방약에는 인터페론 알파-2b(Intron A)와 페그 인터페론(Pegasys)이 포함되어 있습니다. 이는 환자들이 델타 간염과 동시에 걸렸을 경우에만 권장됩니다. 이러한 약들이 만성 B형 간염에 “치료약”이 될 수 있나요?
완전한 완치를 위한 치료약이 될 수는 없지만, 현재 약물치료로 바이러스를 둔화시키고 나중에 더 심각한 간 질환이 생길 위험을 낮추게 됩니다. 장기 복용 시 바이러스로 인한 간 손상이 둔화되거나 일부 경우에는 완치되기도 하기 때문에 환자들이 몇 개월 내에 상태가 호전된 것을 느끼는 결과를 낳게 됩니다. 항바이러스제는 중단했다 시작할 수 있는 것이 아니기 때문에, 전문 지식을 갖춘 의사가 만성 HBV 치료를 시작하기 전에 의사가 철저히 평가하는 것이 매우 중요합니다. 만성 B형 간염이 있는데 약물치료를 해야 하나요?만성 B형 간염에 걸린 모든 사람이 약물치료를 받아야 하는 것은 아님을 이해하는 것이 중요합니다. 본인에게 약물 요법이 적합한지 의사와 상의하십시오. 의사와 함께 치료법 시작을 결정하는 것과 상관없이, 간 전문의 또는 B형 간염에 대한 전문 지식을 갖춘 의사의 진료를 정기적으로 받아야 합니다. B형 간염에 생약 치료제 또는 보조제를 복용하는 것이 안전한가요?많은 사람들이 면역 체계를 강화하고 간을 돕는 데 있어 생약 치료제나 보조제를 사용하는 것에 관심을 보입니다. 문제는 이러한 상품을 제조하는 회사에 대한 규제가 없다는 것으로, 이는 안전성 또는 순도에 대한 철저한 검사가 없음을 의미합니다. 따라서 생약 치료제 또는 비타민 보조제의 품질은 제품마다 다를 수 있습니다. 또한, 일부 생약 치료제는 B형 간염 또는 다른 질환에 대한 처방약의 작용을 방해할 수도 있으며 일부는 실제로 간에 손상을 줄 수 있습니다. 이러한 생약 치료제는 만성 B형 간염을 치료하지 못합니다. 인터넷 및 소셜 미디어에서 자사 제품에 대한 거짓 약속을 하는 회사가 많습니다. 페이스북상의 온라인 청구 및 환자 추천 글은 거짓이며, 소비자들을 속여 비싼 생약 치료제 또는 보조제를 구매하도록 하는 데 사용됩니다. 사실이 아닌 것처럼 느껴질 정도로 좋은 후기일 경우, 이는 아마 사실이 아닐 것이라는 점을 기억하십시오.아래에 생약 및 대체 의학에 대한 신뢰할만한 출처의 정보가 나와 있습니다. 이 정보는 거짓 약속이 아닌 과학적 증거에 기반을 둔 정보입니다. 생약 치료제 또는 보조제에 들어있는 활성 성분이 유효한 성분인지, 간에 안전한지 확인하십시오. 가장 중요한 것은 추가적인 장애 또는 유해성으로부터 간을 보호하는 것입니다. 만성 B형 간염을 앓는 사람들이 건강한 간을 유지하는 요령으로는 어떤 것들이 있나요?만성 B형 간염을 가지고 사는 사람은 약물요법이 필요할 수도, 필요하지 않을 수도 있습니다. 그러나 환자들이 간을 보호하고 건강을 개선하기 위해 실천할 수 있는 여러 가지 방법이 있습니다. 아래는 오늘 바로 시작할 수 있는 가장 좋은 10가지의 건강한 선택지 목록입니다.• 전반적인 건강과 간 건강을 최상으로 유지하기 위해 간 전문의 또는 의료 서비스 제공자와의 정기적인 진료를 예약하십시오.• 간을 공격하는 다른 바이러스로부터의 보호를 위해 A형 간염 백신을 접종하십시오.• B형 간염 바이러스로 이미 장애를 입은 간에 해가 될 수 있는 음주 및 흡연을 삼가십시오.• 일부 생약 치료제 또는 비타민 보조제는 B형 간염 처방약 작용을 방해하거나 간에 손상을 줄 수 있기 때문에 섭취하기 전 의료 서비스 제공자와 상의하십시오.• 모든 일반 의약품(예: 아세트아미노펜, 파라세타몰) 또는 B형 간염 처방약이 아닌 약물은 대부분 간에서 처리하기 때문에 복용 전 약사와 상의하여 간에 안전한지 확인하십시오. • 간에 손상을 줄 수 있는 페인트, 페인트 시너, 접착제, 가정 청소 용품, 매니큐어 제거제 및 유독성일 수 있는 화학 물질의 증기를 들이마시는 것을 피해야 합니다. • 과일, 통곡물, 생선 및 살코기와 많은 채소를 포함한 건강한 식단을 섭취하십시오. 특히 “배춧과 채소”인 양배추, 브로콜리와 콜리플라워는 환경 화학물질로부터 간을 보호하는 데 도움이 된다는 것이 증명되었습니다. • 날것 또는 덜 조리된 조개류(예: 조개, 홍합, 굴, 가리비)는 간에 아주 유해하고 많은 손상을 입힐 수 있는 비브리오 패혈균(Vibrio vulnificus)이라는 박테리아에 오염되어 있을 수 있기 때문에 섭취를 피하십시오.• 견과류, 옥수수, 땅콩, 수수 및 기장으로 음식을 만들기 전에 곰팡이의 흔적이 없는지 확인하십시오. 곰팡이는 식품을 눅눅한 곳에 보관하고 제대로 밀봉하지 않았을 때 잘 생깁니다. 곰팡이가 있을 경우, 식품은 간암의 위험 요인으로 알려진 “아플라톡신”으로 오염되어 있을 수 있습니다.• 건강한 식품을 섭취하고 규칙적으로 운동하고 충분한 휴식을 취하여 스트레스 수준을 낮추십시오. 먹고 마시고 들이마시고 피부에 흡수하는 모든 것이 간에서 여과된다는 점을 명심하십시오. 여러분의 건강과 간을 지키세요! B형 간염이 있을 때 헌혈을 해도 되나요? 아니요. 급성 감염에서 회복되었다 하더라도 B형 간염에 노출된 적이 있는 혈액은 혈액은행에서 받지 않습니다.   Living with Chronic Hepatitis B Most healthy adults who are newly infected will recover without any problems. But babies and young children may not be able to successfully get rid of the virus. • Adults – 90% of healthy adults will get rid of the virus and recover without any problems; 10% will develop chronic hepatitis B. • Young Children – Up to 50% of young children between 1 and 5 years who are infected will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection.• Infants – 90% will become chronically infected; only 10% will be able to get rid of the virus. What is the difference between an "acute" and a "chronic" hepatitis B infection?A hepatitis B infection is considered to be “acute” during the first 6 months after being exposed to the virus. This is the average amount of time it takes to recover from a hepatitis B infection. If you still test positive for the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg+) after 6 months, you are considered to have a "chronic" hepatitis B infection, which can last a lifetime. Will I become sick if I have acute hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is considered a "silent infection” because it often does not cause any symptoms. Most people feel healthy and do not know they have been infected, which means they can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Other people may have mild symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or loss of appetite that are mistaken for the flu. Less common but more serious symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes and skin (called “jaundice”), and a swollen stomach - these symptoms require immediate medical attention and a person may need to be hospitalized. How will I know when I have recovered from an "acute" hepatitis B infection?Once your doctor has confirmed through a blood test that you have gotten rid of the virus from your body and developed the protective antibodies (HBsAb+), you will be protected from any future hepatitis B infection and are no longer contagious to others. What should I do if I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B?If you test positive for the hepatitis B virus for longer than 6 months, this indicates that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection. You should make an appointment with a hepatologist (liver specialist), gastroenterologist, or family doctor who is familiar with hepatitis B. The doctor will order blood tests and possibly a liver ultrasound to evaluate how active the hepatitis B virus is in your body, and to monitor the health of your liver. Your doctor will probably want to see you at least once or twice a year to monitor your hepatitis B and determine if you would benefit from treatment.All chronically infected people should be seen by their doctor at least once a year (or more frequently) for regular medical follow-up care, whether they start treatment or not. Even if the virus is in a less active phase with little or no damage occurring, this can change with time, which is why regular monitoring is so important. Most people chronically infected with hepatitis B can expect to live long, healthy lives. Once you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, the virus may stay in your blood and liver for a lifetime. It is important to know that you can pass the virus along to others, even if you don’t feel sick. This is why it’s so important that you make sure that all close household contacts and sex partners are vaccinated against hepatitis B. What tests will be used to monitor my hepatitis B?Common tests used by doctors to monitor your hepatitis B include the hepatitis B blood panel, liver function tests (ALT, AST), hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B e-Antibody (HBeAb), hepatitis B DNA quantification (viral load), and an imaging study of the liver (ultrasound, FibroScan [Transient Elastography] or CT scan). Is there a cure for chronic hepatitis B?Right now, there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, 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. Sometimes these drugs can even get rid of the virus, although this is not common. 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. Are there any approved drugs to treat chronic hepatitis B?Current treatments for hepatitis B fall into two general categories, antivirals and immune modulators: Antiviral Drugs - These are drugs that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These 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 treatments: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and Entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. They also have a better resistance profile than older antivirals, which means that when they are taken as prescribed, there is less chance of mutation and resistance. Building resistance makes it harder to treat and control the virus.Immunomodulator Drugs - These are 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). This is the only recommended treatment for patients coinfected with hepatitis delta. Do these drugs provide a “cure” for chronic hepatitis B?
Although they do not provide a complete cure, current medications will slow down the virus and decrease the risk of more serious liver disease later in life. 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. 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 HBV. If I have a chronic hepatitis B infection, should I be on medication?It is important to understand that not every person with chronic hepatitis B needs to be on medication. You should talk to your doctor about whether you are a good candidate for drug therapy. Whether you and your doctor decide you should start treatment or not, you should be seen regularly by a liver specialist or a doctor knowledgeable about hepatitis B. Is it safe to take herbal remedies or supplements for my hepatitis B infection?Many people are interested in using herbal remedies or supplements to boost their immune systems and help their livers. The problem is that there is no regulation of companies manufacturing these produces, which means there is no rigorous testing for safety or purity. So, the quality of the herbal remedy or vitamin supplement may be different from bottle to bottle. Also, some herbal remedies could interfere with your prescription drugs for hepatitis B or other conditions; some can even actually damage your liver. These herbal remedies will not cure a chronic hepatitis B infection. There are many companies that make false promises on the Internet and through social media about their products. Online claims and patient testimonials on Facebook are fake and are used to trick people into buying expensive herbal remedies and supplements. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably not true. Below are reliable sources of information about herbs and alternative medicines. This information is based on scientific evidence, not false promises. Check whether the active ingredients in your herbal remedies or supplements are real and safe for your liver. The most important thing is to protect your liver from any additional injury or harm. What healthy liver tips are there for those living with chronic hepatitis B?People living with chronic hepatitis B infection may or may not need drug treatment. But there are many other things patients can do to protect their liver and improve their health. Below is our list of the top 10 healthy choices that can be started today! • Schedule regular visits with your liver specialist or health care provider to stay on top of your health and the health of your liver.• Get the Hepatitis A vaccine to protect yourself from another virus that attacks the liver.• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking since both will hurt your liver, which is already being injured by the hepatitis B virus.• Talk to your provider before starting any herbal remedies or vitamin supplements because some could interfere with your prescribed hepatitis B drugs or even damage your liver.• Check with your pharmacist about any over-the-counter drugs (e.g. acetaminophen, paracetamol) or non-hepatitis B prescription drugs before taking them to make sure they are safe for your liver since many of these drugs are processed through your liver. • Avoid inhaling fumes from paint, paint thinners, glue, household cleaning products, nail polish removers, and other potentially toxic chemicals that could damage your liver. • Eat a healthy diet of fruit, whole grains, fish and lean meats, and lot of vegetables. “Cruciferous vegetables” in particular -- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower -- have been shown to help protect the liver against environmental chemicals. • Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish (e.g. clams, mussels, oysters, scallops) because they could be contaminated with bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which is very toxic to the liver and could cause a lot of damage.• Check for signs of mold on nuts, maize, corn, groundnut, sorghum, and millet before using these foods. Mold is more likely to be a problem if food is stored in damp conditions and not properly sealed. If there is mold, then the food could be contaminated by “aflatoxins,” which are a known risk factor for liver cancer.• Reduce your stress levels by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest. Keep in mind everything you eat, drink, breathe, or absorb through the skin is eventually filtered by the liver. So, protect your liver and your health! Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis B? No. The blood bank will not accept any blood that has been exposed to hepatitis B, even if you have recovered from an acute infection.  

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/korean/living-with-hepb/

  • 일반 정보  B형 간염이란 무엇인가요?B형 간염은 세계에서 가장 흔한 간 감염입니다. 감염은 B형 간염 바이러스(HBV)에 의해 이루어지며 이는 간을 공격하고 손상시킵니다. 바이러스는 혈액, 피임 도구를 사용하지 않은 성관계, 공유 또는 재사용된 주삿바늘로 인해 전염되며, 또한 감염된 산모로부터 임신 또는 분만 시 신생아에게 전염됩니다. 감염된 대부분의 성인은 문제없이 B형 간염 바이러스를 제거할 수 있습니다. 그러나 일부 성인 및 감염된 대부분의 영아와 어린이는 바이러스를 제거할 수 없고 이는 만성(평생 계속되는) 감염으로 발전합니다. 다행히도 B형 간염의 감염을 예방하는 안전한 백신과 B형 간염에 이미 걸린 이들을 위한 새로운 치료법이 존재합니다. B형 간염에 걸리는 사람은 얼마나 되나요?전 세계적으로 20억 명(3명 중 1명)의 사람들이 B형 간염에 걸렸고, 2억 5,700만 명의 사람이 만성 감염 환자입니다(이는 바이러스 제거가 불가능하다는 의미입니다). 매년 약 70만 명의 사람이 B형 간염 및 그 합병증으로 사망합니다. 세계 일부 지역에서 B형 간염이 더 흔한 이유는 무엇인가요?B형 간염은 나이나 인종과 관계없이 누구나 감염될 수 있으나 아시아, 아프리카 및 남아메리카 일부, 동유럽 및 중동처럼 B형 간염이 흔한 일부 지역에서는 감염 위험이 더욱 큽니다. 또한, 이러한 지역에서 출생한(또는 부모가 해당 지역에서 출생한) 미국인도 B형 간염에 흔히 걸립니다. 특정 지역에서 B형 간염이 더 흔한 이유는 이러한 지역에 이미 B형 간염에 걸린 사람들이 너무나 많기 때문입니다. B형 간염이 “아시아 질환” 또는 “아프리카 질환”은 아니지만, 해당 지역에서 수억 명의 사람에게 영향을 끼치고 있습니다. 따라서 타인에게 B형 간염 바이러스를 옮길 수 있는 사람이 더 많아지게 됩니다. 이는 여러분의 감염 위험을 더욱 높이는 것입니다. 서양인 감염자 수는 비교적 적기 때문에, 서양인 집단의 감염 위험성은 낮습니다. B형 간염이 흔한 지역에서는 감염 사실을 모르고 있던 산모가 바이러스를 옮기기 때문에 보통 사람들은 출생 시에 감염됩니다. 어린이들도 감염된 가족과 일상적으로 가깝게 접촉하는 상태라면 감염될 위험이 있습니다. 영아 및 어린이는 면역 체계가 아직 충분히 발달하지 않아 바이러스를 제거하기 어렵기 때문에 만성 B형 간염으로 진행될 가능성이 높습니다. 만약 여러분 또는 여러분의 가족이 지도에서 짙은 청색으로 표시된 지역 출신일 경우, B형 간염에 걸릴 위험이 높은 것이며 검사에 대해 의사와 상의해야 합니다. B형 간염에 대해 걱정해야 하는 이유는 무엇인가요?만성 B형 간염은 간경화 또는 간암과 같은 심각한 간 질환으로 이어질 수 있습니다. 조기 진단은 조기 치료로 이어져 생명을 살릴 수 있기 때문에 검사를 받는 것이 중요합니다. 또한, 감염된 사람들은 타인에게 바이러스를 전파할 수 있습니다. 대부분의 사람은 감염된 사실을 모르고 있기 때문에 자신도 모르는 새에 다른 많은 사람들에게 바이러스를 전파하게 됩니다. 검사를 받지 않는 경우 B형 간염은 한 가정에서 몇 세대에 걸쳐, 지역 사회로까지 퍼져나갈 수 있습니다. 한 가지 잘못된 통념은 바로 B형 간염이 한 가정에서 몇 세대에 걸쳐 감염되기 때문에 “유전”된다는 것입니다. 하지만 B형 간염은 유전 질환이 아닙니다. B형 간염은 바이러스에 의해 발현되는 것이며, 이 바이러스는 종종 모자감염 또는 가정에서 우연히 혈액에 노출되는 사고로 가족 간에 전염됩니다. 가족들은 검사, 백신 접종 및 치료를 통해 B형 간염의 순환을 끊을 수 있습니다. B형 간염은 왜 위험한가요?B형 간염은 사람들이 알지 못하는 새에 바이러스에 감염되는 “소리 없는 감염”이기 때문에 위험합니다. B형 간염에 걸린 대부분의 사람은 감염 사실을 인지하지 못하고, 혈액 및 감염된 체액을 통해 타인에게 무심코 바이러스를 옮길 수 있습니다. 만성적으로 감염된 사람인 경우, 노년기에 간부전, 간경화 및/또는 간암으로 발전할 위험이 높습니다. 바이러스는 발견되지 않은 채로 몇 년에 걸쳐 조용히, 지속적으로 간을 공격합니다. 급성 B형 간염이란 무엇인가요?급성 B형 간염 감염은 증상 유무와 관계없이 최대 6개월간 계속될 수 있으며 감염된 사람은 이 기간에 타인에게 바이러스를 옮길 수 있습니다. 급성 감염의 증상에는 식욕 감소, 관절 및 근육 통증, 미열과 복통 등이 있습니다. 대부분의 사람이 증상을 경험하지 못하지만, 감염 후 60~150일, 평균 3개월 이내에 증상이 나타날 수 있습니다. 일부 사람들은 메스꺼움, 구토, 황달(눈과 피부의 황변), 또는 복부 팽만과 같이 의료 서비스 제공자의 진료가 필요한 더욱 심각한 증상을 경험할 수도 있습니다. 혈액에 B형 간염 바이러스가 존재하는지는 간단한 혈액 검사를 통해 알 수 있습니다. 급성 B형 간염 진단을 받았을 경우, 의사는 감염이 치료되었는지 혹은 만성 B형 간염 감염으로 진행되었는지 확인하기 위해 6개월 후 다시 환자의 혈액을 검사해야 합니다. 담당 의료 서비스 제공자가 혈액 검사 결과를 통해 혈액 중에 B형 간염 바이러스가 없다는 것을 확인할 때까지는 타인을 잠재적 감염으로부터 보호하는 것이 중요합니다. 성적 파트너 및 가족 구성원(또는 가정에서 밀접하게 생활하며 접촉하는 사람들)이 B형 간염 검사를 받도록 하는 것도 중요합니다. 이들이 감염되지 않았고 B형 간염 백신을 접종하지 않은 경우, 일련의 B형 간염 백신 접종을 시작해야 합니다. 급성 B형 간염이 있는 사람들은 특정 B형 간염 치료법을 처방받게 됩니다. 급성 B형 간염 감염을 완전히 치료하는 치료법은 없으며, 성인기에 감염된 대부분의 사람은 저절로 회복하게 됩니다. 일부의 경우 심각한 증상을 보이는 사람은 일상적 도움을 받기 위해 입원해야 할 수도 있습니다. 이러한 의료 서비스의 제1차 목표는 휴식과 증상 관리입니다. 신규 급성 감염과 함께, 드물지만 생명에 지장이 있는 “전격간염”이라 불리는 질환이 함께 발현될 수 있으며, 이는 갑작스러운 간 부전으로 이어질 수 있기 때문에 즉각적인 긴급 치료가 필요합니다. 급성 B형 간염 감염 시 간을 건강하게 유지하는 간단한 요령으로는 알코올 섭취를 삼가고, 흡연을 중단 또는 줄이거나, 건강한 음식을 섭취하고, 기름지거나 지방이 많은 음식을 피하고, 의료 서비스 제공자와 복용하는 약물(처방약, 일반 의약품, 비타민 또는 생약 보조제)에 대해 상의해 간에 안전한 것인지 확인하는 것입니다. 이때가 궁금했던 여러 다른 질문을 할 좋은 기회이기도 합니다. 비타민 및 간 건강 보조제는 회복에 도움이 되지 않으며, 간에 좋은 것이 아니라 나쁜 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다. 만성 감염에서 회복되었는지 확인하는 추가 혈액 검사에 대해 의사와 추후 상담하셔야 합니다. 만성 B형 간염이란 무엇인가요?B형 간염 바이러스 양성 결과가(최초 혈액 검사 이후) 6개월 이상 계속되는 사람은 만성 감염이 있는 것으로 진단합니다. 이는 이들의 면역 체계가 B형 간염 바이러스를 제거하지 못해 바이러스가 혈액 및 간에 아직 남아있다는 것을 뜻합니다. 만성 감염을 치료하고 관리하는 효과적인 방법은 있지만, 완치를 위한 치료약은 없습니다. 만성적으로 감염되었을 경우, 바이러스는 평생 혈액에 남아있게 됩니다. 만성 B형 간염을 가진 사람들은 자신도 모르는 새에 다른 사람들에게 바이러스를 옮길 수 있습니다. 만성 B형 간염은 또한 간경화 또는 간암과 같은 심각한 간 질환으로 이어질 수도 있습니다. 만성적으로 감염된 모든 사람이 심각한 간 질환으로 발전하는 것은 아닙니다. 그러나 감염되지 않은 사람보다는 발전할 확률이 높습니다. 만성 B형 간염 감염으로 발전될 가능성은 B형 간염 바이러스에 처음 감염된 나이와 연관이 있습니다.• 감염된 신생아 및 영아의 90%가 만성 B형 간염으로 발전합니다• 감염된 어린이(1~5세)의 최대 50%가 만성 B형 간염으로 발전합니다• 감염된 성인의 5~10%가 B형 간염 만성 감염으로 발전합니다(이 중 90%는 회복합니다) 만성 B형 간염 감염이 있다는 것은 굉장히 받아들이기 힘든 사실일 수 있습니다. 대부분 사람들이 증상이 없고 B형 간염 바이러스에 처음 노출된 때로부터 몇십 년이 지난 이후 진단받을 수도 있기 때문에 만성 B형 간염 감염으로 진단받는 것은 충격이자 깜짝 놀랄만한 일이 될 수 있습니다. 좋은 소식은 만성 B형 간염을 가진 대부분의 사람은 길고 건강한 삶을 누릴 것을 예상할 수 있다는 점입니다. 감염된 임산부는 분만 시 신생아에게 바이러스를 옮길 수 있습니다. 따라서, 분만 시 신생아가 만성적으로 감염될 위험이 크기 때문에 세계 보건 기구(World Health Organization, WHO) 및 미국 질병통제예방센터(Centers for Disease Control, CDC)에서는 모든 신생아가 생후 12~24시간 이내에 B형 간염 백신의 첫 번째 투여분을 접종할 것을 권고합니다. 현재 임신 중이고 감염된 사실을 알고 있는 경우, 산후 12~24시간 이내에 신생아에게 B형 간염 백신의 첫 번째 투여분을 접종해야 합니다. 만성 B형 간염의 치료약은 없지만 B형 간염 바이러스를 통제하고 간을 손상시키는 것을 막을 수 있는 몇 가지의 효과적인 약물 요법이 있습니다. 또한, 머지않아 치료약이 될 수 있을 만한 연구 단계의 유망 신약도 있습니다. 만성 B형 간염이 있는 사람은 감염되지 않은 사람보다 심각한 간 질환 또는 간암으로 발전할 위험이 높지만, 이러한 위험을 줄일 수 있는 여러 가지 간단한 방법이 있습니다.• B형 간염에 대한 지식을 갖춘 간 전문의 또는 의료 서비스 제공자의 진료를 6개월마다 정기적으로 받아 여러분의 간 건강을 관찰할 수 있도록 하십시오.• 만성 B형 간염 치료법이 심각한 간 질환 또는 간염 진행을 예방하는 데 도움이 될지 의료 서비스 제공자와 상의하십시오.• 조기 진단은 더욱 다양한 치료법 선택지와 수명 연장으로 이어질 수 있으므로 정기 진료 시 의료 서비스 제공자에게 간암 검사를 받을 수 있도록 하십시오.• 음주 및 흡연은 간에 무리를 줄 수 있으니 중단하거나 줄이십시오.• 튀긴 음식과 기름진 음식은 간에 무리를 줄 수 있으므로 다양한 채소와 함께 건강한 식단을 섭취하십시오. “만성 보유자”가 된다는 것은 무슨 의미인가요?만성 B형 간염을 가지고 있는 사람을 가리켜 의사가 “만성 보유자”라고 할 수 있습니다. “만성 보유자”라는 것은 만성 B형 간염을 가지고 있고 타인에게 바이러스를 옮길 수 있으며 감염에 대해 의사의 관리를 받아야 한다는 것을 뜻합니다. B형 간염은 치료약이 있나요?대부분의 성인은 약물치료 없이 급성 감염에서 저절로 회복합니다. 만성 B형 간염으로 발전한 대부분의 성인, 어린이 및 신생아에 대해서는 현재로서는 완치를 위한 치료약은 없습니다. 하지만 다행인 소식은, 바이러스를 둔화시켜 만성 감염된 사람의 간 질환 진행을 늦출 수 있는 치료법이 있다는 것입니다. B형 간염 바이러스가 적게 생성되면 간에 끼치는 손상도 줄어들게 됩니다. 새롭게 기대되는 연구들을 통해 볼 때, 머지않아 만성 B형 간염에 대한 치료약이 발견될 것이라는 희망을 품을 수 있습니다. 개발 중인 다른 유망 신약의 목록을 보시려면 저희 Drug Watch(의약품 동향) 페이지를 방문하십시오. 제 B형 간염을 치료하는 방법에는 무엇이 있나요?급성 감염은 일반적으로 증상을 관리할 휴식 및 지원 조치 외에 다른 치료법은 없습니다. 만성 B형 간염에 대해서는 이용할 수 있는 몇 가지 치료법이 있습니다. 만성 B형 간염을 가진 모두가 치료법을 필요로 하는 것은 아님을 이해하는 것이 중요합니다. 의사는 약물치료가 필요한지 또는 기다리며 상태를 지켜봐야 하는지 결정하는 데 도움을 줄 것입니다. B형 간염 바이러스의 복제를 둔화시키거나 아예 중단시키는 여러 항바이러스제가 있으며, 이는 간의 염증 및 손상을 줄입니다. 이러한 항바이러스제는 하루 1정을 최소 1년간, 보통 그보다 더 오랫동안 복용하게 됩니다. 미국 FDA가 승인한 항바이러스제는 6가지가 있지만, 테노포비르 디소프록실(Viread/TDF), 테노포비르 알라페나미드(Vemlidy/TAF), 엔테카비르(Baraclude)라는 "초기" 항바이러스제 3가지만 권고합니다. 초기 항바이러스제는 더욱 안전하며 가장 효과적이기 때문에 권고합니다. 초기 항바이러스 치료법에 반응하지 않거나 이용할 수 없는 사람을 위한 다른 선택지도 존재합니다. 바로 텔비부딘(Tyzeka, Sebivo), 아데포비르 디피복실(Hepsera), 라미부딘(Epviri-HBV, Zeffix, Heptodin)입니다. FDA에서는 만성 B형 간염에 대한 이러한 항바이러스제를 승인했지만, 항바이러스제가 완치를 위한 치료약은 아닙니다. 그러나 이 약품은 간 손상 및 간암 진행 위험을 크게 줄여줍니다. 항바이러스제는 중단했다 시작할 수 있는 것이 아니기 때문에, 전문 지식을 갖춘 의사가 만성 B형 간염 치료를 시작하기 전에 철저히 평가하는 것이 매우 중요합니다. 또한, 면역 체계를 강화시켜 B형 간염 바이러스 통제에 도움을 주는 면역 조절제도 있습니다. 이는 주사 형태로 6개월에서 1년에 걸쳐 투여됩니다. 가장 흔한 처방약에는 인터페론 알파-2b(Intron A)와 페그 인터페론(Pegasys)이 포함되어 있습니다. 환자와 담당 의사는 어떤 치료법이 제일 적절할지 결정하기 전에 선택 가능한 치료법에 대해 논의해야 합니다. 이러한 약품은 많은 환자들의 B형 간염 바이러스를 감소시키거나 확산을 중단하게 됩니다. 장기 복용 시 바이러스로 인한 간 손상이 둔화되거나 일부 경우에는 완치되기도 하기 때문에 환자들이 몇 개월 내에 상태가 호전된 것을 느끼는 결과를 낳게 됩니다. FDA 승인 약품 및 기타 개발 중인 유망 B형 간염 신약의 전체 목록을 보시려면 저희 Drug Watch(의약품 동향) 페이지를 방문하십시오. 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/korean/general-information/

  • 予防と予防接種  B型肝炎はどのように感染しますか？ B型肝炎は、血液を介して拡散するウイルスが原因でかかる感染症です。B型肝炎が他人に感染する一般的な経路は、次のとおりです。 感染した血液や体液に直接接触する 妊娠中や出産時に、感染した母親から新生児に感染する 感染したパートナーと避妊せずに性交する 針の共有や使い回し（たとえば、違法薬物を注射した針の共有、適切に殺菌されていない医療、鍼灸、タトゥー、耳/ボディピアス用の針の使い回し） 殺菌されていない医療機器または針を巷の医師、歯科医、理容師が使用する B型肝炎は日常的な接触で感染しますか？ いいえ。B型肝炎は日常的な接触では感染しません。空気、ハグ、接触、くしゃみ、咳、便座、ドアノブを介してB型肝炎に感染することはありません。また、感染者と一緒に飲食をしたり、感染者が調理した食べ物を食べても、B型肝炎には感染しません。 B型肝炎に最もかかりやすいのはどのような人ですか？  誰にもB型肝炎にかかるリスクがありますが、感染の可能性がより高い人たちがいます。仕事やライフスタイルによって、あるいはB型肝炎に感染している人の家庭に生まれることによっても、感染の危険性が高まる可能性があります。ここに紹介するのは、最も一般的な「高リスク」グループですが、これがすべてではありませんのでご注意ください。 B型肝炎の感染者と結婚している人、またはB型肝炎の感染者と家族内で接触の機会が多い大人と子ども B型肝炎が多い地域（アジア、アフリカと南アフリカの一部、東ヨーロッパ、中東）で生まれた人、または両親がB型肝炎が多い地域で生まれた人 B型肝炎が非常に多い地域（アジア、アフリカと南アフリカの一部、東ヨーロッパ、中東）に住んでいる、またはそのような地域に旅行する人 性交渉が活発な成人やティーンエージャー 同性と性交渉のある男性 感染した母親から生まれた新生児 仕事で血液に触れることのある医療関係者やその他の関係者 救急隊員（救急救命士、消防士など） 1992年以前に輸血を受けた人、またはスクリーニングが不十分な血液を最近輸血された人 過去または現在、静脈注射薬を常用している人 タトゥーやボディピアスを入れている人 腎臓透析を受けている患者 グループホーム、団体、矯正施設の居住者、職員 巷の医者、歯医者、理容師を利用している人 B型肝炎ワクチンのお勧めはどれですか？ WHOとCDCは、B型肝炎の予防接種を、18歳までの幼児や子ども全員に推奨しています。また、CDCは高リスクグループの成人の予防接種も推奨しています。 B型肝炎ワクチンは安全で効果が高いので、新生児と18歳未満の子ども全員に接種をお勧めします。さらに、糖尿病患者と同居している成人や、仕事、ライフスタイル、生活環境、出生国などの要因によってリスクが高い成人にも予防接種をお勧めします。感染リスクは誰にでもありますが、慢性肝臓疾患を生涯にわたって予防するために、成人の方は全員予防接種を受けることを検討してください。 B型肝炎のワクチンは安全ですか？ はい。B型肝炎のワクチンは非常に安全で高い予防効果を示しています。事実、全世界で肝がんの原因の80%を占めるB型肝炎を予防できることから、これは初の「抗がんワクチン」と言えるでしょう。 また、全世界で10億本以上投与されていることから、これまで作られたワクチンの中でも最も安全なワクチンであることが、医学研究や科学研究によって証明されています。 B型肝炎ワクチンから感染する可能性はありますか？ いいえ。B型肝炎ワクチンから感染することはありません。このワクチンは、研究室で合成酵母から製造されています。最もよく見られる副作用としては、腕の接種したあたりが赤みを帯びたり、多少痛むことがあります。 B型肝炎ワクチンの接種スケジュールはどうなっていますか？ B肝炎ワクチンは、病院や保健所、外来診療所などで接種できます。B型肝炎ワクチンは3回にわたって接種が必要ですが、11～15歳の子どもでは2回の接種を行う場合もあります。この2回の接種で済む新しいワクチンは、2017年にFDAから承認されました。感染した母親から生まれた新生児は、分娩室で、または出生後12時間以内に最初の接種を受けなければなりません。 1回目の接種－いつでも可。ただし、新生児は分娩室で接種を受けます。 2回目の接種－1回目の接種から少なくとも1ヶ月（または28日）後 3回目の接種－1回目の接種から6ヶ月後（または2回目の接種から少なくとも2ヶ月後） 1回目の接種から3回目の接種まで、少なくとも16週あける必要があります。予防接種のスケジュールが遅れても、1回目からやり直す必要はありません。前回の接種から1年以上あいてしまっても、残りの接種から続けることができます。 B型肝炎の予防効果を確認するには、血液検査を受けて「B型肝炎の抗体力価」（HBsAb）をチェックするとわかります。 自分でB型肝炎を予防するには他に何ができますか？ B型肝炎は感染した血液や体液を介して感染することから、予防接種が完了するまでの間の保護として自分でできることがいくつかあります。 血液や体液に直接接触しない パートナーとの性交にはコンドームを使う 違法薬物や処方薬の乱用を避ける（それらの注射を含む） かみそり、歯ブラシ、イヤリング、ネイルクリッパーなど先の尖った物の共有を避ける 医療、歯科、鍼療法、タトゥー、ピアスやボディピアスに殺菌済みの針や機器が使われていることを確認する 流出した血液を拭き取る際には手袋をはめ、漂白剤や水を使う 血液に触れたり拭き取った後は、石鹸で両手をしっかり洗う 最も大切なことは、B型肝炎の予防接種を受けることです！   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 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 Patients who are on kidney dialysis Residents and staff of group homes, institutions, or correctional facilities. 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/japanese/prevention/

  • B型肝炎と共に生きる  B型肝炎から回復することはありますか？ 新たに感染した成人健常者の大半は、問題なく回復します。ただし、乳児や幼児はウイルスをうまく取り除くことができません。 成人－ 成人の健常者の90%は問題なく回復しますが、残りの10%は慢性B型肝炎にかかります。 幼児－感染している1～5歳の幼児の最大50%が慢性B型肝炎にかかります。 乳児－90%が慢性B型肝炎にかかり、ウイルスを取り除けるのはわずか10%です。 急性と慢性のB型肝炎の違いは何ですか？ B型肝炎への感染は、ウイルスにさらされてから最初の6ヶ月間は「急性」とみなされます。これは、B型肝炎に感染してから回復するまでにかかる期間の平均です。 6ヶ月経過しても慢性B型肝炎ウイルス（HBsAg+）検査が陽性の場合、生涯続く「慢性」B型肝炎にかかっているとみなされます。  急性B型肝炎を発症すると病気の症状が出ますか？ B型肝炎は全く症状が見られないことが多いため、「症状のない感染」と呼ばれています。大半の感染者は健康だと思っており、自分が感染していることを知りません。そのため、知らないうちにウイルスを他人に拡散してしまっています。ウイルスに感染した人には、熱、疲労感、関節や筋肉の痛み、食欲減退などインフルエンザに似た軽度の症状が現れることがあります。 まれに、ひどい吐き気や嘔吐、黄疸（目や皮膚が黄色くなること）、腹部の膨張などの深刻な症状が現れることがあり、このような場合は直ちに緊急治療が必要で、入院が必要なこともあります。 急性B型肝炎から回復したことはどうすればわかりますか？ 体内からウイルスが除去され、保護抗体 (HBsAb+) が作られたことを担当医師が血液検査を通じて確認したら、その後はB型肝炎への感染から守られ、他人に感染させることはありません。 慢性B型肝炎と診断されたらどうすればよいですか？ B型肝炎ウイルスの検査で6ヶ月以上陽性の場合、慢性B型肝炎とみなされます。肝臓専門医、胃腸専門医、またはB型肝炎に詳しいかかりつけの医師の診察を予約してください。医師は血液検査と、可能であれば肝臓の超音波診断を行って、体内に存在するB型肝炎ウイルスの動きを評価し、肝臓の健康度を監視します。医師は年に1～2度診察でB型肝炎を監視し、治療が患者に適切かどうかを判断します。 慢性B型肝炎の患者は全員、年に少なくとも1回（またはそれ以上の回数）医師の定期検診を受けることが求められます。また、医師は治療を開始するかどうかを判断します。ウイルスがあまり活発ではなく、ほとんど、あるいは全く肝臓に障害がなくても、時間と共に状況が変わることがありますので、定期的な監視は極めて大切です。 ほとんどの慢性B型肝炎患者は、健康的に長生きすることができますが、B型肝炎と診断されたら、ウイルスは体内や肝臓に生涯にわたって留まる可能性があります。重要なことは、気分が悪くなくても、ウイルスを他人に感染させるおそれがあると知っておくことです。家庭内で密接に接触する家族や性的関係のあるパートナーは、B型肝炎の予防接種を必ず受けることがとても重要となります。 慢性B型肝炎の監視にはどの検査が用いられますか？ 医師がB型肝炎の監視するために行う一般的な検査には、B型肝炎血液パネル検査、肝機能検査（ALT、AST）、B型肝炎e抗原（HBeAg）検査、B型肝炎e抗体（HBeAb）検査、B型肝炎DNA定量（ウイルス量）検査、肝臓の画像診断（超音波、FibroScan [Transient Elastography] またはCTスキャン）などがあります。 慢性B型肝炎の治療法はありますか？ 現在、慢性B型肝炎の治療法は存在しません。ただし、ウイルスの活動を遅くすることで、肝臓病の進行を遅らせる治療法がありますので、安心してください。生成されるB型肝炎のウイルスが少なければ、肝臓へのダメージも抑えられます。これらの薬でウイルスを除去することができる場合もありますが、これは稀な事例です。  また、新しい画期的な研究が進んでいますので、近い将来慢性B型肝を完治させられる治療法が確立されることも大いに期待されています。現在開発中の将来有望な薬のリストについては、Drug Watch（新薬安全性情報）を参照してください。 慢性B型肝炎を治療するための承認薬はありますか？ 現在のB型肝炎の治療には、抗ウイルス薬を用いる方法と、免疫調節剤を用いる方法の2つのカテゴリーがあります。 抗ウイルス薬-B型肝炎ウイルスの増殖を遅らせたり阻止したりして、肝臓の炎症やダメージを抑えます。この薬は、少なくとも1年（通常はそれ以上）の期間、毎日錠剤を1錠服用します。FDAの承認を受けている抗ウイルス薬は6種類ありますが、お勧めできるのはそのうちのテノホビル・ジソプロキシル（Viread/TDF）、テノホビル・アラフェナミド（Vemlidy/TAF）、エンテカビル（Baraclude）の3種類の「第一選択」抗ウイルス薬のみです。第一選択抗ウイルス薬をお勧めするのは、これらが安全でより効果が高いためです。また、以前の抗ウイルス薬よりも耐性について優れた特性を持ち、処方されたとおりに服用すると、ウイルスが突然変異したり抵抗したりする可能性が低くなります。ウイルスに抵抗力がついてしまうと、ウイルスの扱いや制御が難しくなります。 免疫調節薬剤 -免疫システムのB型肝炎のウイルスを制御する能力を高める薬剤です。この調節剤は、6ヶ月から1年の間注射で投与します。最もよく処方される抗ウイルス薬には、インターフェロン アルファ-2b（イントロンA）やペグインターフェロン（Pegasys）などがあります。これは、デルタ肝炎に同時感染している患者の治療のみに推奨されます。 これらの薬品で慢性B型肝炎は「全快」しますか？ B型肝炎は完全に治るわけではありませんが、ウイルスの増殖を抑え、将来より深刻な肝臓疾患にかかるリスクを低下させます。結果として、ウイルスによる肝臓へのダメージの進行が遅くなるため（長期投与の場合には、進行が逆転することもある）、患者の症状が数ヶ月以内に改善されます。抗ウイルス薬の服用開始時期や停止時期は明示されていないので、慢性B型肝炎の治療を始める前に豊富な知識を持つ医師に入念に検査してもらうことが非常に重要です。 慢性B型肝炎に感染したら薬物治療を受けるべきですか？ 大切なのは、B型肝炎にかかっている人全員が治療を必要とするわけではない、という事実を理解することです。あなたが薬物治療の候補者としてふさわしいかどうか、担当医師と話し合ってください。あなたと担当医師が治療を開始すべきかどうか決める際には、肝臓専門医またはB型肝炎について十分な知識を持つ医師の診察を定期的に受けて、判断の材料にしてください。 慢性B型肝炎に感染したら、薬草療法やハーブサプリメントを摂取しても安全ですか？ 多くの方が、免疫システムを高めるために、薬草療法やハーブサプリメントに興味を持っています。ですが、これらの製品の製造メーカーに対する規制が存在せず、安全性や純度について厳格な検査が実施されていません。そのため、薬草療法やビタミンサプリメントの品質は一定していません。また、薬草療法のなかにはB型肝炎の処方薬や他の健康状態に干渉するものや、肝障害の原因となるものさえあります。このような薬草療法により、慢性B型肝炎が治ることはありません。 インターネットやソーシャルメディアで自社製品について誤った宣伝をしている会社も多数存在し、Facebook上に虚偽の事実や患者の声を掲載して、ユーザーを欺いて高価な薬草療法やサプリメントを購入させようとします。出来過ぎた話は、必ずと言っていいほど真実ではありません。 以下に、薬草や代替医療に関する信頼の置ける情報源を掲載します。そこで示されている情報は信頼のおけるものであり、科学的な証拠に基いています。利用している薬草療法やサプリメントに含まれている有効成分が本物であるか、肝臓にとって安全かどうか確認してください。最も大切なことは、あなたの肝臓にこれ以上害が及ばないように守ることです。 慢性B型肝炎の場合に、肝臓の健康を管理する上で、日常できることはありますか？ 慢性B型肝炎の感染者には、薬物治療が必要な人も、不要な人もいます。ただし、肝臓を守り、健康状態を改善させるために患者ができることはたくさんあります。次に示すのは、今すぐ始められる10の健康習慣です。 肝臓専門医やかかりつけの医師の定期検診を予約し、肝臓を含めて体全体の健康を積極的に守ります。 A型肝炎の予防接種を受け、他のウイルスが肝臓を攻撃しないように予防します。 B型肝炎のウイルスで既に傷ついている肝臓にさらにダメージを与える飲酒や喫煙を避けます。 処方されたB型肝炎の薬と干渉したり、肝臓に害を及ぼすものもあるため、薬草療法やビタミンサプリメントを摂取する場合は、事前に医療関係者に相談します。 市販薬（アセトアミノフェン、パラセタモールなど）やB型肝炎以外の処方せん薬については、その多くに含まれる物質が肝臓で処理されるため、服用する前に肝臓にとって安全かどうか薬剤師に確認します。  塗料、塗料用シンナー、接着剤、家庭用洗浄剤、マニキュアの除光液、その他肝障害を起こす原因となる可能性がある有害化学薬品の刺激臭を吸わないようにします。 果物、全粒穀物、魚と赤身の肉、たくさんの野菜など、健康に良い食品を食べます。特に、キャベツ、ブロッコリー、カリフラワーなどの「アブラナ科の野菜」は環境化学物質から肝臓を守ってくれることがわかっています。  生や生焼けの貝（二枚貝、イガイ、カキ、ホタテガイなど）は食べないようにします。貝には、ビブリオ・バルニフィカスと呼ばれる肝臓に有害な細菌が含まれており、深刻な障害を引き起こすおそれがあります。 ナッツ、インディアンコーン、トウモロコシ、ピーナッツ、タカキビ、ヒエなどは、料理する前にカビがはえていないか確認します。湿気のある場所に料理を置いたままにしたり、きちんと密閉していないと、カビが問題となる可能性があります。カビが含まれた料理は、肝がんのリスク要因として知られる「アフラトキシン」に汚染されている可能性があります。 健康的な食べ物を食べ、定期的に運動し、たっぷり休息をとってストレスレベルを下げます。  食べ物、飲み物、呼吸するもの、皮膚から吸収されるものはすべて、最終的に肝臓で選別されますから、肝臓と健康を守ることが大切です！ 急性B型肝炎にかかった後に献血はできますか？   いいえ。急性B型肝炎から回復していたとしても、血液バンクはB型肝炎に感染している血液は受け付けません。 Living With Hepatitis B Will I recover from a hepatitis B infection? Most healthy adults who are newly infected will recover without any problems. But babies and young children may not be able to successfully get rid of the virus. Adults – 90% of healthy adults will get rid of the virus and recover without any problems; 10% will develop chronic hepatitis B. Young Children – Up to 50% of young children between 1 and 5 years who are infected will develop a chronic hepatitis B infection. Infants – 90% will become chronically infected; only 10% will be able to get rid of the virus. What is the difference between an "acute" and a "chronic" hepatitis B infection? A hepatitis B infection is considered to be “acute” during the first 6 months after being exposed to the virus. This is the average amount of time it takes to recover from a hepatitis B infection. If you still test positive for the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg+) after 6 months, you are considered to have a "chronic" hepatitis B infection, which can last a lifetime.  Will I become sick if I have acute hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is considered a "silent infection” because it often does not cause any symptoms. Most people feel healthy and do not know they have been infected, which means they can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. Other people may have mild symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or loss of appetite that are mistaken for the flu. Less common but more serious symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes and skin (called “jaundice”), and a swollen stomach - these symptoms require immediate medical attention and a person may need to be hospitalized. How will I know when I have recovered from an "acute" hepatitis B infection? Once your doctor has confirmed through a blood test that you have gotten rid of the virus from your body and developed the protective antibodies (HBsAb+), you will be protected from any future hepatitis B infection and are no longer contagious to others. What should I do if I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B? If you test positive for the hepatitis B virus for longer than 6 months, this indicates that you have a chronic hepatitis B infection. You should make an appointment with a hepatologist (liver specialist), gastroenterologist, or family doctor who is familiar with hepatitis B. The doctor will order blood tests and possibly a liver ultrasound to evaluate how active the hepatitis B virus is in your body, and to monitor the health of your liver. Your doctor will probably want to see you at least once or twice a year to monitor your hepatitis B and determine if you would benefit from treatment. All chronically infected people should be seen by their doctor at least once a year (or more frequently) for regular medical follow-up care, whether they start treatment or not. Even if the virus is in a less active phase with little or no damage occurring, this can change with time, which is why regular monitoring is so important. Most people chronically infected with hepatitis B can expect to live long, healthy lives. Once you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, the virus may stay in your blood and liver for a lifetime. It is important to know that you can pass the virus along to others, even if you don’t feel sick. This is why it’s so important that you make sure that all close household contacts and sex partners are vaccinated against hepatitis B. What tests will be used to monitor my hepatitis B? Common tests used by doctors to monitor your hepatitis B include the hepatitis B blood panel, liver function tests (ALT, AST), hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B e-Antibody (HBeAb), hepatitis B DNA quantification (viral load), and an imaging study of the liver (ultrasound, FibroScan [Transient Elastography] or CT scan). Is there a cure for chronic hepatitis B? Right now, there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B, 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. Sometimes these drugs can even get rid of the virus, although this is not common.  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. Are there any approved drugs to treat chronic hepatitis B? Current treatments for hepatitis B fall into two general categories, antivirals and immune modulators: Antiviral Drugs - These are drugs that slow down or stop the hepatitis B virus, which reduces the inflammation and damage to the liver. These 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 treatments: tenofovir disoproxil (Viread/TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy/TAF) and Entecavir (Baraclude). First-line antivirals are recommended because they are safer and most effective. They also have a better resistance profile than older antivirals, which means that when they are taken as prescribed, there is less chance of mutation and resistance. Building resistance makes it harder to treat and control the virus. Immunomodulator Drugs - These are 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). This is the only recommended treatment for patients coinfected with hepatitis delta. Do these drugs provide a “cure” for chronic hepatitis B? Although they do not provide a complete cure, current medications will slow down the virus and decrease the risk of more serious liver disease later in life. 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. 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 HBV. If I have a chronic hepatitis B infection, should I be on medication? It is important to understand that not every person with chronic hepatitis B needs to be on medication. You should talk to your doctor about whether you are a good candidate for drug therapy. Whether you and your doctor decide you should start treatment or not, you should be seen regularly by a liver specialist or a doctor knowledgeable about hepatitis B. Is it safe to take herbal remedies or supplements for my hepatitis B infection? Many people are interested in using herbal remedies or supplements to boost their immune systems and help their livers. The problem is that there is no regulation of companies manufacturing these produces, which means there is no rigorous testing for safety or purity. So, the quality of the herbal remedy or vitamin supplement may be different from bottle to bottle. Also, some herbal remedies could interfere with your prescription drugs for hepatitis B or other conditions; some can even actually damage your liver. These herbal remedies will not cure a chronic hepatitis B infection. There are many companies that make false promises on the Internet and through social media about their products. Online claims and patient testimonials on Facebook are fake and are used to trick people into buying expensive herbal remedies and supplements. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably not true. Below are reliable sources of information about herbs and alternative medicines. This information is based on scientific evidence, not false promises. Check whether the active ingredients in your herbal remedies or supplements are real and safe for your liver. The most important thing is to protect your liver from any additional injury or harm. What healthy liver tipsare there for those living with chronic hepatitis B? People living with chronic hepatitis B infection may or may not need drug treatment. But there are many other things patients can do to protect their liver and improve their health. Below is our list of the top 10 healthy choices that can be started today! Schedule regular visits with your liver specialist or health care provider to stay on top of your health and the health of your liver. Get the Hepatitis A vaccine to protect yourself from another virus that attacks the liver. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking since both will hurt your liver, which is already being injured by the hepatitis B virus. Talk to your provider before starting any herbal remedies or vitamin supplements because some could interfere with your prescribed hepatitis B drugs or even damage your liver. Check with your pharmacist about any over-the-counter drugs (e.g. acetaminophen, paracetamol) or non-hepatitis B prescription drugs before taking them to make sure they are safe for your liver since many of these drugs are processed through your liver.  Avoid inhaling fumes from paint, paint thinners, glue, household cleaning products, nail polish removers, and other potentially toxic chemicals that could damage your liver. Eat a healthy diet of fruit, whole grains, fish and lean meats, and lot of vegetables. “Cruciferous vegetables” in particular -- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower -- have been shown to help protect the liver against environmental chemicals.  Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish (e.g. clams, mussels, oysters, scallops) because they could be contaminated with bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which is very toxic to the liver and could cause a lot of damage. Check for signs of mold on nuts, maize, corn, groundnut, sorghum, and millet before using these foods. Mold is more likely to be a problem if food is stored in damp conditions and not properly sealed. If there is mold, then the food could be contaminated by “aflatoxins,” which are a known risk factor for liver cancer. Reduce your stress levels by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest.  Keep in mind everything you eat, drink, breathe, or absorb through the skin is eventually filtered by the liver. So, protect your liver and your health! Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis B? No. The blood bank will not accept any blood that has been exposed to hepatitis B, even if you have recovered from an acute infection.

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/japanese/livingwithhepatitisb/