Hepatitis A and B (Photo woman with Liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B)
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated.
How many new HBV infections occur annually in the United States? In 2007, 4,519 cases of acute Hepatitis B in the United States were reported to CDC; the overall incidence of reported acute Hepatitis B was 1.5 per 100,000 population, the lowest ever recorded. However, because many HBV infections are either asymptomatic or never reported, the actual number of new infections is estimated to be approximately tenfold higher. In 2007, an estimated 43,000 persons in the United States were newly infected with HBV. Rates are highest among adults, particularly males aged 25–44 years.
Has the rate of new HBV infections in the United States declined? The rate of new HBV infections has declined by approximately 82% since 1991, when a national strategy to eliminate HBV infection was implemented in the United States. The decline has been greatest among children born since 1991, when routine vaccination of children was first recommended.
How common is chronic HBV infection in the United States? An estimated 800,000–1.4 million persons in the United States have chronic HBV infection. Chronic infection is an even greater problem globally, affecting approximately 350 million persons. An estimated 620,000 persons worldwide die from HBV-related liver disease each year.
Where can I find more information about viral hepatitis incidence and prevalence in the United States? Viral hepatitis surveillance reports and guidelines are available at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics.htm.
Transmission, Symptoms, and Treatment How is HBV transmitted? HBV is transmitted through activities that involve percutaneous (i.e., puncture through the skin) or mucosal contact with infectious blood or body fluids (e.g., semen, saliva), including
How long does HBV survive outside the body? HBV can survive outside the body at least 7 days and still be capable of causing infection.
What should be used to remove HBV from environmental surfaces? Any blood spills — including dried blood, which can still be infectious — should be cleaned using 1:10 dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for disinfecting the area. Gloves should be used when cleaning up any blood spills.
Who is at risk for HBV infection? The following populations are at increased risk of becoming infected with HBV:
More information about Hepatitis B and travel is available from CDC's Travelers' Health site.
What are the signs and symptoms of HBV infection? The presence of signs and symptoms varies by age. Most children under age 5 years and newly infected immunosuppressed adults are asymptomatic, whereas 30%–50% of persons aged ≥5 years have initial signs and symptoms. When present, signs and symptoms can include
What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B? Symptoms begin an average of 90 days (range: 60–150 days) after exposure to HBV.
When symptoms of acute Hepatitis B occur, how long do they usually last? Symptoms typically last for several weeks but can persist for up to 6 months.
How serious is acute HBV infection? Acute infection ranges from asymptomatic or mild disease to — rarely — fulminant hepatitis. Disease is more severe among adults aged >60 years. The fatality rate among acute cases reported to CDC is 0.5%–1%.
How serious is chronic HBV infection? Approximately 25% of those who become chronically infected during childhood and 15% of those who become chronically infected after childhood die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer, and the majority remain asymptomatic until onset of cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease. In the United States, chronic HBV infection results in an estimated 2,000–4,000 deaths per year.
Disclaimer: The information contained on the Meningitis Angels web site is not to be considered medical advice or treatment. Consult your health care provider or local health department if you are sick prior and/or prior to the use of any vaccines. Information on this Web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
Resource this page www.cdc.gov
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated.
How many new HBV infections occur annually in the United States? In 2007, 4,519 cases of acute Hepatitis B in the United States were reported to CDC; the overall incidence of reported acute Hepatitis B was 1.5 per 100,000 population, the lowest ever recorded. However, because many HBV infections are either asymptomatic or never reported, the actual number of new infections is estimated to be approximately tenfold higher. In 2007, an estimated 43,000 persons in the United States were newly infected with HBV. Rates are highest among adults, particularly males aged 25–44 years.
Has the rate of new HBV infections in the United States declined? The rate of new HBV infections has declined by approximately 82% since 1991, when a national strategy to eliminate HBV infection was implemented in the United States. The decline has been greatest among children born since 1991, when routine vaccination of children was first recommended.
How common is chronic HBV infection in the United States? An estimated 800,000–1.4 million persons in the United States have chronic HBV infection. Chronic infection is an even greater problem globally, affecting approximately 350 million persons. An estimated 620,000 persons worldwide die from HBV-related liver disease each year.
Where can I find more information about viral hepatitis incidence and prevalence in the United States? Viral hepatitis surveillance reports and guidelines are available at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics.htm.
Transmission, Symptoms, and Treatment How is HBV transmitted? HBV is transmitted through activities that involve percutaneous (i.e., puncture through the skin) or mucosal contact with infectious blood or body fluids (e.g., semen, saliva), including
- Sex with an infected partner
- Injection drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment
- Birth to an infected mother
- Contact with blood or open sores of an infected person
- Needle sticks or sharp instrument exposures
- Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
How long does HBV survive outside the body? HBV can survive outside the body at least 7 days and still be capable of causing infection.
What should be used to remove HBV from environmental surfaces? Any blood spills — including dried blood, which can still be infectious — should be cleaned using 1:10 dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for disinfecting the area. Gloves should be used when cleaning up any blood spills.
Who is at risk for HBV infection? The following populations are at increased risk of becoming infected with HBV:
- Infants born to infected mothers
- Sex partners of infected persons
- Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship (e.g., >1 sex partner during the previous 6 months)
- Men who have sex with men
- Injection drug users
- Household contacts of persons with chronic HBV infection
- Health care and public safety workers at risk for occupational exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids
- Hemodialysis patients
- Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
- Travelers to countries with intermediate or high prevalence of HBV infection
More information about Hepatitis B and travel is available from CDC's Travelers' Health site.
What are the signs and symptoms of HBV infection? The presence of signs and symptoms varies by age. Most children under age 5 years and newly infected immunosuppressed adults are asymptomatic, whereas 30%–50% of persons aged ≥5 years have initial signs and symptoms. When present, signs and symptoms can include
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B? Symptoms begin an average of 90 days (range: 60–150 days) after exposure to HBV.
When symptoms of acute Hepatitis B occur, how long do they usually last? Symptoms typically last for several weeks but can persist for up to 6 months.
How serious is acute HBV infection? Acute infection ranges from asymptomatic or mild disease to — rarely — fulminant hepatitis. Disease is more severe among adults aged >60 years. The fatality rate among acute cases reported to CDC is 0.5%–1%.
How serious is chronic HBV infection? Approximately 25% of those who become chronically infected during childhood and 15% of those who become chronically infected after childhood die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer, and the majority remain asymptomatic until onset of cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease. In the United States, chronic HBV infection results in an estimated 2,000–4,000 deaths per year.
Disclaimer: The information contained on the Meningitis Angels web site is not to be considered medical advice or treatment. Consult your health care provider or local health department if you are sick prior and/or prior to the use of any vaccines. Information on this Web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
Resource this page www.cdc.gov