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A telephone information hotline for victims of Hepatitis B can be found by calling the number (888) 443 - 7232
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease, caused by the hepatitis B virus. A disease endemic in China, it has become an epidemic in parts of Asia and Africa., and has recently spread to the U.S. Approx. 2 billion people are estimated to have contracted Hepatitis B, 350 mil. of whom are chronic carriers. Due to the uncontrolled epidemic in Africa, worldwide infections of Hepatitis B are on the rise.
Hepatitis B is spread via contaminated body fluids. The lack of sterile instruments and facilities,, compounded by ignorance, have made hepatitis B a major problem in African and certain Asian countries.. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the cause of a Hepatitis B infection. Relaxing social norms in the U.S. have contributed to the disease's spread here.
Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection.. It can be spread from one person to another via unprotected sex, contaminated needles, blood transfusions, and/or childbirth.
Common signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B include itchy skin, nausea, body aches, fever, and blood-tinged urine. If left untreated, symptoms may develop into jaundice.
The hepatitis B illness usually lasts about three weeks in affected individuals, who soon make a gradual recovery. In a small percentage of cases, however, the liver of an infected person may fail before the illness leaves - requiring urgent hospitalization.
In 70% of cases, Hepatitis B requires no treatment: The disease is viral but mild, and usually clears up within three weeks. However, in a minority of cases, the afflicted person's liver fails, requiring urgent treatment.
Medicine is usually not used against hepatitis B, because the medicine must be processed by the already-beleagured liver. Long-term solutions include spreading awareness (especially in Africa) about the dangers of unprotected sex, extensive needle use, and unsafe blood transfusions. A vaccine for hepatitis b is currently available in the U.S. only.
The incubation period for hepatitis B is typically anywhere from 30 to 180 days between infection and symptoms. The exact figure depends on how many virus particles a person is exposed to.
An electron microscope photo of clusters of the hepatitis B virus.
A CBS News Special Report on the hepatitis B vaccine, and the prevalence of Hepatitis B in Asian communities.
A Hepatitis B public service announcement
