What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted through direct blood exposure and through sexual contact. An estimated 1 - 1.4 million Americans are chronically infected with HBV, and an estimated 2,000 - 4,000 Americans die each year due to cirrhosis, replacement of liver cells with scar tissue, or liver cancer caused by HBV.
Acute, or short-term, illness can lead to the following symptoms: loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), itching, headaches, and pain in muscles, joints, and stomach.
Chronic, or long-term, illness often leads to: liver damage, liver cancer, death.
The hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. It is made from a part of the hepatitis B virus and cannot cause hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over the period of six months.
If you are unsure whether or not you have the virus or vaccine and would like more information, please visit either of our weekly clinics. You may also reach us by phone at 510-859-4372 or through email at hepbproject@gmail.com.
Courtesy of hbvadvocate.org and the CDC
Acute, or short-term, illness can lead to the following symptoms: loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), itching, headaches, and pain in muscles, joints, and stomach.
Chronic, or long-term, illness often leads to: liver damage, liver cancer, death.
The hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. It is made from a part of the hepatitis B virus and cannot cause hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over the period of six months.
If you are unsure whether or not you have the virus or vaccine and would like more information, please visit either of our weekly clinics. You may also reach us by phone at 510-859-4372 or through email at hepbproject@gmail.com.
Courtesy of hbvadvocate.org and the CDC
Why do we think it's important?
Hepatitis B, known as a “silent killer” because it has few symptoms, is one of the most common diseases in the world and can eventually lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. In the API community, 1 in 10 is chronically infected. The prevalence of Hepatitis B among APIs has been called “the greatest health disparity that exists between APIs and the general U.S. population.” Nevertheless, a vaccine for the virus was developed almost 2 decades ago so there is no reason for the virus to still be present in our community.
What can The Hep B Project do if you test positive?
The only certain way to to test for HBV is through a blood screening. If you test positive for the HbSAb, we can help you find a primary care provider (depending on your status of health insurance) through our partners in Asian Health Services, which has a sliding scale policy for its patients.
Monitoring for Liver Damage
Many chronically infected persons show no symptoms and feel perfectly healthy, even though they may already have cirrhosis or be in the early stages of liver cancer. Therefore, it is important for physicians who see patients with chronic HBV infection to remain vigilant about monitoring for flare-up of the hepatitis, liver damage or cirrhosis, and to schedule regular screenings for liver cancer.
*adapted from the ALC
*adapted from the ALC
Rationale for Treatment
Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, effective treatment can reduce liver damage and decrease the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Not every hepatitis B patient needs to be on treatment. Regular screening for liver damage is necessary to determine if and when initiation of HBV treatment is appropriate. Patients should be informed about the treatment rationale, as well as options, side effects and risks associated with each treatment.
*adapted from the ALC
Not every hepatitis B patient needs to be on treatment. Regular screening for liver damage is necessary to determine if and when initiation of HBV treatment is appropriate. Patients should be informed about the treatment rationale, as well as options, side effects and risks associated with each treatment.
*adapted from the ALC
