Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral disease transmitted by exposure to infected blood or blood products (such as blood transfusions), saliva, or through unprotected sex with someone who is infected.^[1]

As with AIDS, Hepatitis B is not contagious from casual contact, however Hepatitis B is a resilient virus which can live outside the body for up to seven days under certain conditions^[2] as opposed to HIV which can only survive outside the body for a few hours.^[3]

Vaccine[edit]

The Hepatitis B vaccine has been available since 1982 and is effective in preventing long term Hepatitis B infection in 80 - 95% of vaccinated individuals.^[4] The vaccine is effective in both pre and post-exposure cases. The CDC and WHO recommend vaccination for all health care workers, people who may come into contact with bodily fluids, and children.^[5]

See also[edit]

Hepatitis B vaccine

References[edit]

1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/about/terms/glossary.htm#h
2. ↑ http://www.pkids.org/pdf/phr/02-01hbv.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa35.htm
4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/PREVIEW/MMWRHTML/00033405.htm
5. ↑ Ibid