Hepatitis B Facts

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids.

• Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
• The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
• An estimated 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus infection (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive).
• In 2015, hepatitis B resulted in 887 000 deaths, mostly from complications (including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).
• Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers.
• It can be prevented by currently available safe and effective vaccine.

* Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.

Image courtesy: https://www.immunizationinfo.com/hepatitis-b/