Who Is Affected by Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B
is one of the most easily
spread (contagious) forms of
viral hepatitis, which include hepatitis A, B, C, D,
and E.
- About 46,000 new hepatitis B
virus (HBV) infections occurred in the United States in
2006.1
- About 1.2 million
Americans have long-term (chronic) hepatitis B, and many
acquired their infection in childhood.1
- In the U.S., hepatitis B is
most common in people ages 25 to 44.1 People at greatest risk for HBV infection are
those who inject illegal drugs, those who have more than one sex partner, and men
who have sex with men.2
- Each year,
about 3,000 people die in the U.S. from illnesses
related to HBV infection.1
- Black
teenagers and young adults become infected with HBV 3 to 4 times more often
than those who are white.2
- Worldwide,
chronic HBV infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver
cancer.
Citations
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2009). Hepatitis B: Frequently asked questions
for health professionals. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/HBVfaq.htm.
-
American Academy of Pediatrics (2006). Hepatitis B. In
LK Pickering, ed., Red Book: 2006 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 27th ed., pp. 335–355. Elk Grove, IL: American
Academy of Pediatrics.
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Steven L. Flamm, MD - Gastroenterology |
|
Last Revised
|
November 11, 2010 |
Last Revised:
November 11, 2010
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2009). Hepatitis B: Frequently asked questions
for health professionals. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/HBVfaq.htm.
American Academy of Pediatrics (2006). Hepatitis B. In
LK Pickering, ed., Red Book: 2006 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 27th ed., pp. 335–355. Elk Grove, IL: American
Academy of Pediatrics.
