Heptatis B

Heptatis B: The Forgotten Killer

Lee Robert Anisman, MD

The attention given to the HIV virus over the last decade has overshadowed the seriousness of another virus that stalks our society today. The hepatitis virus is present in many forms, but the strain know as hepatitis B can cause catastrophic health consequences, including death, to those who ignore its causes and effects. Fortunately, this virus has a preventative vaccine that may save your life.

Acute viral hepatitis is a frequent cause of live disease in the United States, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis is a common infection that unfortunately is frequently encountered by the primary care physician. Call your physician soon and ask whether vaccination is appropriate for you.

Of the known types of viral hepatitis, this is the most serious form because of the way it is acquired and its potential for complications. An estimated 300,000 people are infected with hepatitis B each year in the United States. There are more then 10,000 hospital admissions per year due to hepatitis B and approximately 4,000 people in the United States die from hepatitis B each year. Despite the introduction of a safe and effective vaccine against hepatitis B in 1992, numbers of new cases are skyrocketing.

Up to ten percent of adults who become infected with the hepatitis B virus become chronic carriers who are capable of spreading the disease to other for many year. Based on data from the CDC, there are over 1.25 million carriers of hepatitis B. These people may look health and many display no symptoms, yet they maintain the ability to transmit the hepatitis B virus to others. Carrier can be detected only through blood tests. If testing shows you are a carrier of hepatitis B, consult your physician to discuss ways of preventing the spread of this disease to others.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through intimate and sexual conduct. The virus is detected in blood, saliva, vaginal secretions and semen. Many people may be infected with hepatitis B but never have symptoms. When the symptoms do occur, they can be quite debilitating. Symptoms include some or all of the following: a flu-like illness, fatigue, mild fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dull abdominal pain and occasional diarrhea. A significant number of people develop jaundice, a yellow cast to the skin and whites of the eyes accompanied by dark urine, light colored stools and itching of the skin.

One of the failures of modern medicine has been the lack of effective control of hepatitis B despite an effective and safe vaccine. Obviously, for any vaccination program to be successful, it must target and educate those at risk prior to behaviors that place them at risk. It is recommended that the following groups be vaccinated against hepatitis B: all infants, person at occupational risk, all sexually active males and females – gay or straight, intravenous drug users, and recipients of blood products. The hepatitis vaccine used in my office is produce by recombinant DNA technology. It is proven safe and effective. There is absolutely no danger of contracting HIV from this vaccine. The vaccine is given in three doses over a six month period in the deltoid muscle.