What is hepatitis B?

What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is the world’s most common serious liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks liver cells and can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring) or cancer of the liver later in life.  Approximately 90% of healthy adults who are exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) recover on their own and develop the protective surface antibody. However, 10% of infected adults, 50% of infected children and 90% of infected babies are unable to get rid of the virus and develop chronic infection. These people need further evaluation by a liver specialist or doctor knowledgeable about hepatitis B.

Who should be tested? HBV is transmitted through contact with blood or infected bodily fluids,

through unprotected sex, unsterile needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn during the

delivery process. HBV is not transmitted casually, through the air, or from casual social contact

(hugging, coughing, sneezing).

The following groups are especially at high-risk for infection and should be tested:

• Health care workers and emergency personnel

• Partners or individuals living in close household contact with someone who is infected

• Individuals who have had multiple sex partners or who have been diagnosed with an STD

• Injection drug users

• Men who have sex with men

• Individuals who received a blood transfusion prior to 1972

• Individuals who have tattoos or body piercings

• Individuals who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific

Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)

• Individuals emigrating from countries where hepatitis B is common, or who are born to parents who emigrated

from these countries (see above)

• ALL pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B infection

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B? The good news is that there is a safe and effective vaccine for

hepatitis B that lasts a lifetime. It is recommended in the U.S. and other countries for all infants and

children up to age 18 and adults at high risk for infection.

Additional Diagnostic Tests:

Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These are a group of blood tests that help your doctor find out how well your liver is working. The most important test is the following:

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): This is an enzyme that is released from liver cells into the bloodstream when the liver is injured. An ALT level above normal may indicate liver damage. ALT levels are included in the regular monitoring of all chronic hepatitis B patients; this test can also be useful in deciding whether a patient would benefit from therapy, or for evaluating how well a current treatment is working.

Liver Biopsy: This involves the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver using a special needle. The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for inflammation or liver damage.

Hepatitis B DNA test: This is a highly sophisticated blood test that checks for the presence of hepatitis B virus DNA in the bloodstream. The DNA test indicates how much virus is present in the blood.

e-antigen: This is a protein that is made by the virus. If this test is positive, it indicates that there is a lot of virus in the blood, which means that you can more easily spread the virus to others.

e-antibody: Often as the virus stops replicating in the body, and the e-antigen disappears from the blood, the eantibody appears. This can happen spontaneously or after treatment.

For more information about HBV diagnostic tests, please visit the following websites:

Hepatitis B Foundation website at www.hepb.org

HIV & Hepatitis Treatment Advocates at www.hivandhepatitis.com/tests.html

University of Maryland Medical Center at www.umm.edu/liver