HEPATITIS B FACT SHEET

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although most people recover, Hepatitis B is an unpredictable disease that may incapacitate a person for weeks or months and can lead to life-long complications such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and death. Although there is no cure for the disease there is a safe and effective vaccine to protect you from getting HBV.

Hepatitis B fast facts
* HBV is 100 times easier to get than HIV
* 75% of all reported cases of HBV are people between the ages of 15-39 years
* More than 1.25 million Americans are infected with HBV
* There are approximately 5000-6000 deaths annually from HBV
* Up to 40% of adults cases of HBV have no known risk factors
* 1 out of 20 Americans has been infected with HBV with 200,000 new infections each year
* The Hepatitis B virus can live on a hard surface for up to 1 month

Transmission of the disease is through blood and body fluids, which includes:
* Sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex
* Blood transfusions
* Sharing razors
* Sharing toothbrushes
* Sharing washcloths
* Sharing needles
* Needle stick injury (primarily health care worker)
* Tattooing
* Body piercing (including ear piercing)

The vaccine is recommended by the following organizations:
- The American College Health Association (ACHA)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health (Gov. Ridge signed into law in March of 1996 that all school children will be immunized).
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP- a sub-committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. It was licensed for use in 1986 and universal infant immunization was adopted in 1991. The most common side effect from the vaccine is soreness at the injection site.