Hepatitis B

Anotacoes

Hepatitis B Epidemiology Prevalence: Following the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine in 1991, rates of acute hepatitis B in the US have declined by approx. 82%. [1] In 2016 there were an estimated 862,000 cases (∼ 0.3% of US population) in the US. In 2015, there were > 257 million cases worldwide (3.5% of the global population). [4] The Western Pacific is the most affected region worldwide (6.2% of its population). [4] Etiology Virus Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Member of the Hepadnavirus family Circular, partially double-stranded DNA virus See “General virology” for more information on viral structure. Transmission [4] Frequency and patterns of transmission vary worldwide. Sexual: transmitted when bodily fluids come in contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (mouth, genitals, or rectum) Parenteral Contaminated needles or instruments (including those for procedures like body piercings, tattoos, and acupuncture) that come into contact with the patient's blood Blood transfusions or organ transplants Vertical transmission (mother-to-child transmission) [4] Common associations Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV-positive individuals Travelers to regions where HBV is endemic [5]...