Hepatitis B Prevention Among Asians and Pacific Islanders Facts
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It
may cause serious liver damage, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver),
liver cancer, and death.
How many people in the U.S. are affected by
hepatitis B?
- There are 80,000-100,000 new hepatitis B infections each year. Half of
those with new infections do not have any symptoms and can unknowingly
spread the infection to others.
- About 1 million people are chronically infected or "carry" the virus in
their blood for life. People with chronic hepatitis B often feel fine and
may not know they have the disease.
- About 4,000-5,000 people die every year of liver disease related to
chronic hepatitis B.
How many people in Washington State are
affected by hepatitis B?
Around 60 to 100 cases of acute hepatitis B and 1,100 to 1,600 cases of
chronic hepatitis B are reported in the state every year. Each year, 340-380
hepatitis B-positive pregnant women are identified, resulting in 2-7 cases of
infants with hepatitis B virus infections.
How is hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B is spread through direct contact with the blood and body fluids
of a person already infected with hepatitis B, including:
- From a mother to her baby during childbirth.
- Sexual contact with an infected person.
- Injection drug use.
- Household contact with a person with hepatitis B.
- Occupational exposure, such as an accidental needlestick.
How can someone find out if they
have hepatitis B?
The only way to know if you have hepatitis B is by getting a blood test. A
small tube of blood will be drawn. The blood will be analyzed by a lab or
doctor. The test results will show if you have the virus, are already protected,
or need the hepatitis B vaccine.
How can you prevent hepatitis B?
- Get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective in
preventing the disease. It is the first anti-cancer vaccine. The hepatitis B
vaccine is a series of three shots, usually given over six months. Babies
usually get the first shot at birth. Unfortunately, the hepatitis B vaccine
is not effective if the person already has hepatitis B.
- Do not chew food to share with your baby.
- Do not share anything between household and family members that may
already have or can get blood on it, such as a toothbrush, razor, or nail
clippers.
- Practice safe sex by using condoms.
- Do not use injection drugs or share needles.
How is hepatitis B treated?
Hepatitis B is treated with pills, injections, or both. Talk with your doctor
about treatment options.
Why focus on Asians and Pacific Islander
Americans?
- Hepatitis B infection is much more common in people who live in or were
born in parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern
Europe, and South America. Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants and
refugees living in the U.S. and their children also have high rates of
hepatitis B. Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants, refugees, and their
children should be tested for hepatitis B.
- Up to 15 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants living in the
U.S. and their children are chronically infected with hepatitis B. Less than
one percent of persons in the U.S. of non-Asian and Pacific Islander descent
are chronically infected.
What is the Asian and Pacific Islander
Hepatitis B Task Force?
The National Task Force on Hepatitis B's focus on Asian and Pacific Islander
Americans was created in 1997 to improve hepatitis B immunization levels and to
reduce the number of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans infected with
hepatitis B.
The Washington State Asian and Pacific Islander Hepatitis B Task Force was
created to prevent hepatitis B among Asian and Pacific Islander Americans
because the state has the fifth largest number of Asian and Pacific Islander
residents in the nation. Current activities of the Task Force include:
- Developing and distributing culturally-appropriate educational materials
on hepatitis.
- Conducting educational outreach to partners serving the Asian and
Pacific Islander community.
- Conducting community-based hepatitis B screening events.
- Collaborating and networking with community partners on related health
issues.
Resources
Last Update:
10/07/2011 04:31 PM
