Hepetitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. Worldwide, about 350 million people are chronic carriers of HBV, of whom, more than 250,000 die from liver- related disease each year.
Chronic hepatitis B also can lead to a type of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. Any of these conditions can be fatal. About 15-25 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B die of liver disease.


Hepatitis B Prevention
There is a vaccine against the hepatitis B virus (Engerix-B, Recombivax HB ). It is safe and works well to prevent the disease. A total of 3 doses of the vaccine are given over several months.

•This vaccine has successfully prevented infection in people exposed to the virus.

• The vaccine is recommended for all children younger than 19 years. It can be given as part of their normal vaccination series.

The following groups should be vaccinated for hepatitis B:

•All children younger than 18 years, including newborns--especially those born to mothers who are infected with HBV

• All health care and public safety workers who may be exposed to blood

• People who have hemophilia or other blood clotting disorders and receive transfusions of human clotting factors

• People who require hemodialysis for kidney disease

• Travelers to countries where HBV infection is common -This includes most areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, China and central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, and the Amazon River basin of South America.

• People who are in prison

•People who live in residential facilities for developmentally disabled persons

• People who inject illegal drugs

•People with chronic liver disease such as hepatitis C

•People who have multiple sex partners or have ever had a sexually transmitted disease

• Men who have sex with men Hepatitis B immune globulin (BayHep B, Nabi-HB) is given along with the hepatitis B vaccine to unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis B.

•These include close contacts of people with HBV infection, health care workers who are exposed to HBV-contaminated blood, and infants born to mothers infected with HBV.

• It also includes people who have finished only part of the 3-shot vaccination series.

• Giving the immune globulin and the vaccine together in these situations prevents transmission of the disease in 80-90 percent of cases.

Other ways to protect yourself from HBV infection:

•If you are sexually active, practice safe sex. Correct use of latex condoms can help prevent transmission of HBV, but even when used correctly, condoms are not 100% effective at preventing transmission. Men who have sex with men should be vaccinated against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

• If you inject drugs, don't share needles or other equipment.

• Don't share anything that might have blood on it, such as a razor or toothbrush.

• Think about the health risks if you are planning to get a tattoo or body piercing. You can become infected if the artist or piercer does not sterilize needles and equipment, use disposable gloves, or wash hands properly.

•Health care workers should follow standard precautions and handle needles and sharps safely.

• If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, tell your health care provider if you have any of the risk factors for HBV infection.