Who Is Affected by Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is one of the most easily
spread (contagious) forms of
viral hepatitis, which include hepatitis A, B, C, D,
and E.
- About 38,000 new hepatitis B
virus (HBV) infections occurred in the United States in
2009.footnote 1
- About 1.2 million
Americans have long-term (chronic) hepatitis B, and many
acquired their infection in childhood.footnote 1
- In the U.S., hepatitis B is
most common in people ages 25 to 44.footnote 1 People at greatest risk for HBV infection are
those who inject illegal drugs, those who have more than one sex partner, and men
who have sex with men.footnote 2
- Each year,
about 3,000 people die in the U.S. from illnesses
related to HBV infection.footnote 1
- Worldwide,
chronic HBV infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver
cancer.
Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2012). Hepatitis B FAQs
for health professionals. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/HBVfaq.htm.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Hepatitis B. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 337-356. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerW. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology
Current as ofMarch 3, 2017
Current as of:
March 3, 2017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2012). Hepatitis B FAQs
for health professionals. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/HBVfaq.htm.
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Hepatitis B. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 337-356. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.