Hepatitis B: What You Need To Know

What is Hepatitis B Infection?

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which infects the liver and can become a chronic or life-long infection. Chronic HBV infection can cause liver damage and even liver cancer. It is the main cause of liver cancer worldwide.

Hepatitis B infection is a very common infection among persons born in Asia and among Asian Americans. More than 100 million Asians worldwide have chronic hepatitis B infection. In New York City alone, up to 15 percent of Asian Americans have chronic hepatitis B, and liver cancer is 10 times more likely to occur in Asian Americans than in the rest of the American population.

Most people infected with chronic HBV do not show symptoms or feel sick until it’s too late for treatment.. As many as 1 out of 4 chronically infected people may die of liver-related diseases if they are not under the care of a doctor.

Don’t let this happen to you!
Speak to your doctor about getting a blood test!

If you are not already infected with HBV, vaccinations can protect you from becoming infected.

How Is the Hepatitis B Virus Transmitted?

The most common way that Asian Americans get hepatitis B is at birth, if their mothers are HBV-infected. This is now preventable by vaccines that are given to all newborns in the United States and many other countries, but not yet all countries in Asia.

Other ways of getting HBV infection is through contact with infected blood or unprotected sex (without a condom) with someone who has HBV-infection.

How do I know if I am infected or need to be vaccinated?

Many people do not realize they are infected with HBV because symptoms are absent or very mild. Some people who are exposed to the hepatitis B virus will get rid of it but many others will develop chronic or long-term infection.

You can have hepatitis B and feel fine!

Unfortunately, most Asian Americans are not aware if they are hepatitis B-infected. The only way of learning if you are infected or need to be vaccinated is by getting a blood test.

You should ask for a blood test that checks for both the hepatitis B virus and to see if you already have protection against it.

If I am not infected, how do I protect myself?

You should get vaccinated if your blood test shows that you have not been protected from HBV. Your doctor will tell you if you need to be vaccinated.

The vaccine is SAFE and works well. But you need to get ALL 3 doses of vaccine which are given at least 1 month apart. You CANNOT get hepatitis B from the vaccine. But before getting vaccinated, be sure to get a blood test and talk to your doctor.

What should I do if I have hepatitis B?

• See a doctor about treatment and be checked for liver cancer.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not use medication or other drugs that can harm the liver.
• Eat food that is good for you and keep to a healthy weight.
• Do not smoke.
• Make sure your family members and people you live with get tested.
• Avoid spreading HBV by using condoms when you have sex and keeping your blood from contacting other people.
• You CANNOT spread infection by kissing, coughing, sneezing, holding hands, eating from the same dish, or using the same spoon or chopsticks when you eat.

Be aware of your hepatitis B status by getting a blood test at your local healthcare center.
Be vaccinated if you are not protected from HBV.
Be treated if you have life-long infection.