FAQ

  1. What is Hepatitis B?
    • Hepatitis B is a disease caused through infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic (lifelong) infection with HBV can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. About 60-80% of primary liver cancer worldwide is caused by chronic HBV. Thus, our work at Team HBV is dedicated to one day eradicating this deadly and devastating infection.

  2. How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
    • Although HBV can be transmitted through blood transfusions, sharing needles, or unprotected sex ...
    • The majority of HBV transmissions are from mother to child.
    • This means that just because you have been vaccinated, you may not be safe because you could have been infected from birth.

  3. What are some common myths and misconceptions about Hepatitis B?
    • Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted through food/water.
    • Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted through casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands.
    • Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted through kissing, sneezing or coughing.
    • Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted through breastfeeding.

  4. Why should Asian and Pacific Islanders care about Hepatitis B?
    • 1 in 10 Asians have chronic HBV. In some Pacific Rim countries, that ratio could rise to 1 in 5.
    • A quarter of those people will eventually die from liver cancer.
    • That adds up to over 500,000 deaths around the world each year among the API population.

  5. What are the key differences among hepatitis A, B, and C?
    • “Hepatitis” refers to any disease that results in inflammation of the liver, regardless of how that disease is contracted.
    • Hepatitis A is an short-term infection that is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Infection can be prevented by receiving the hepatitis A vaccine.
    • Hepatitis B can be both a short-term and long-term infection. It is transmitted through contaminated blood. Infection can be prevented by receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.
    • Hepatitis C can be both a short-term and long-term infection that is transmitted through contaminated blood. No effective vaccine is available at this time.

  6. Why is Hepatitis B often not diagnosed?
    • Most HBV cases are asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms, so many people who become chronically infected don’t realize it until it’s too late. If symptoms do develop, they are often mistaken for those of the flu (i.e. fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting). This is why hepatitis B is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer."

  7. What should I know about the vaccine?
    • The hepatitis B vaccine is the first "anti-cancer" vaccine (World Health Organization). Based on current data, routine booster doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are not recommended.  However, proper use has been proven to effectively prevent HBV infection and its deadly implications of liver cancer and liver failure.
  8. Am I at risk?
    If not already infected, the following people should receive vaccination for Hepatitis B:
    • All infants and previously unvaccinated children and adolescents aged 0-18 years
    • Sexual partners or household contacts of HBsAg-positive persons
    • Persons with multiple sexual partners
    • Injectable drug users
    • Travelers to regions of high HBV endemicity such as Asia
    • Persons with occupational exposure to blood or body fluids
    • Men who have sex with men

    In other words, get tested!

  9. HBV by the Numbers:
    • 1/3: Percent of the world's total population that has been infected with hepatitis B virus
    • 45: Seconds passed before HBV claims its next victim
    • 60,000: Estimated number of people within the US who become infected with HBV each year
    • 1,000,000: People who die each year from liver cancer or liver failure caused by HBV
    • 350 million: Approximate number of people with chronic (lifelong) HBV infection

  10. What should I do?
    • Get tested: Ask your doctor for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and surface antibody (anti-HBs) tests for both yourself and your family. These are not routine and must be requested. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor for the HBsAg test to see whether you are infected.
    • Get vaccinated: If both your blood tests (HBsAg and anti-HBs) are negative, you have not been infected with hepatitis B. Get the 3-shot hepatitis B vaccination series to protect yourself for life from future infection. All newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
    • Get involved: To learn about hepatitis B, support the Jade Ribbon Campaign by participating in your local Team HBV. Spread the word about our campaign by telling your friends and family. Proudly wear your Jade Ribbon pin and bracelet in demonstration of your support.

For the most complete information please check out http://liver.stanford.edu/Education/faq.html