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What
is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by hepatitis
B virus (HBV). Worldwide, the disease is a major
health problem. In fact, the disease ranks second
only to tobacco as a known human carcinogen (cancer
causing agent in humans.) In addition, hepatitis
B is more infectious than HIV (human immunodeficiency
virus), the virus that causes AIDS. Recent figures
in the United States show that up to 300,000 new
hepatitis B infections occur each year. Approximately
5,900 people die annually as a result of the disease:
4,000 from cirrhosis; 1,500 from liver cancer; and
400 from fulminant, or rapidly progressing, hepatitis.
The risk of contracting hepatitis B over a lifetime
is estimated to be 5% for the U.S. population
as a whole. However, for certain high-risk groups
it may be significantly higher. Although most
people recover from hepatitis B, for a small percentage
(5 -10%) there is a more severe spectrum of disease
including liver cancer, liver failure, and even
death. In addition, up to 10% of those infected
progress to chronic infection and become carriers,
capable of spreading the disease to others throughout
their lives. In the United States up to 1.25 million
people are chronically infected with HBV, many
of whom fail to exhibit disease symptoms. Fortunately,
methods are available to help prevent the disease,
including behavior changes to reduce your risk
and vaccination.
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