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Hepatitis B Basics. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Hepatitis B is…. Inflammation of the liver caused by infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). A Healthy Liver. Major role in metabolism and detoxification Fights against infections and controls bleeding. CHRONIC Hepatitis B is….
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Hepatitis B Basics WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Hepatitis B is… Inflammation of the liver caused by infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
A Healthy Liver • Major role in metabolism and detoxification • Fights against infections and controls bleeding
CHRONIC Hepatitis B is… A life-long disease. Once infected there is NO cure. It can cause: Liver failure Liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) Liver cancer And ultimately, premature death
Even if you feel perfectly healthy… • You could still be chronically infected with HBV • Most people with chronic HBV infection have no symptoms • Blood tests for liver enzymes are often normal Chronic HBV infection: A Silent Killer in API Community
Who does HBV affect? 1/3 of the world’s population has been infected at one point in time. That’s 2 billionpeople! 350- 400 million people worldwide are chronically infected. That is 1 in 20 people! Compare this to the 35 million with HIV/AIDS. Without appropriate monitoring or treatment, 1 in 4with chronic hepatitis B will die of liver cancer. This leads to 1-2deaths every minute…
Transmission: Hepatitis B is spread through… BloodBirthSex
Asian & Pacific Islander Population HBV is the greatest health disparity between API and general population. 1 in 10APIs is chronically infected with HBV, compared to 1 in 1,000 for Caucasian Americans. 1-1.5 million affected in the United States 1 in 12 Korean-Americans 1 in 10 Chinese-Americans 1 in 8 Vietnamese-Americans
Get Tested! • Simple blood test • Hepatitis B surface antigen test (HBsAg) • Positive (+): has hepatitis B • Negative (-): does not have hepatitis B • Hepatitis B surface antibody test (HBsAb) • Positive (+): has immunity • Negative (-): does not have immunity “Silent Killer” Remember, chronic hepatitis B usually DOES NOT have any symptoms until it is too late. Get tested today!
Get Vaccinated! • If you are: Hepatitis B surface antigen (-) & hepatitis B surface antibody (-), then you are susceptible and should get the vaccine • The first “anti-cancer” vaccine - CDC • Confers life-long protection “3 for life” Total: 6-month, 3 shot series
Get Treatment! • If you have chronic hepatitis B: • There is NO cure, but hepatitis B can be managed • Everyone is different; discuss treatment with doctor • Important regular check-ups • ALT for liver damage and AFP for liver cancer, 6 months • Ultrasound, 12 months • Can still live a long and healthy life with appropriate monitoring and treatment
Protect Your Liver • If you have chronic hepatitis B, you should also: • Avoid drinking alcohol • Get the hepatitis A vaccination
Protect Your Family • Spread the word! • Make sure family members are tested and vaccinated • Expecting mothers can protect their newborns by making sure that their doctors administer to their newborns the necessary shots!
Mothers with chronic hepatitis B can protect their babies • Her newborn should be given two shots: • The first shot of the 3-shot hepatitis B vaccine AND • The HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) shot • These need to be given within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission of hepatitis B. All newborns in the U.S. should receive the hepatitis B vaccination and HBIG at birth!
People chronically infected with HBV should… Get screened regularly for liver cancer and liver damage
HBsAg test * Note: HBsAg and HBsAb tests can be done at the same time positive negative HBsAb test ALT AFP ultrasound Every 6 mo. Every 6 mo. Every year positive negative normal abnormal immunity! vaccine Maintain regular checkups Treatment 3 shots in 6 mo. • interferon • lamivudine • adefovir • avoid alcohol • get hep A shot
Remember… • Be informed • 1 in 10 API are infected with hepatitis B • “Silent killer” • Transmitted through BBS • Most common mode: Mother to child • Protect yourself • Get tested • Get vaccinated • Get treated • Protect & educate your family • Join the Jade Ribbon Campaign • Unite against hepatitis B and liver cancer!
The Jade Ribbon Campaign • Launched in 2001 • Mission: Increase awareness about hepatitis b and provide ethnic-sensitive health information to API community • Jade = Longevity and good luck • Folded in shape of “person” to represent all voices united against hepatitis B and liver cancer.