Hepatitis B (HBV) virus is a serious viral disease that attacks the liver,
and can cause extreme illness and even death. An acute HBV infection is
a newly acquired, symptomatic infection. In some people, the infection resolves
and the virus is cleared. However, many will remain chronically infected
with the virus after the symptoms associated with their new infection have
subsided. People chronically infected with HBV face an increased risk of
developing chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis (scarring) and liver
cancer, and for transmitting HBV infection to others.
According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES iii), about five percent of the U.S. population has ever been infected
with hepatitis B, with an estimated 200,000 infections occurring each year
(Coleman, 1998). Of these, it is believed that 120,000 infections are acquired
through sexual transmission annually, mostly among young adults. An estimated
417,000 people are currently living with chronic sexually acquired HBV infection.
Infants and young children have the highest risk of chronic infection.
An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 deaths occur each year from chronic hepatitis
B-related liver disease.
Hepatitis B vaccinations have been recommended for people with risk
factors for HBV infection since the vaccine became available in 1981.
However, many
teens and young adults at risk through sexual or drug-related behavior
have not been vaccinated for HBV. Intensified efforts to vaccinate
high-risk groups are urgently needed.
In 1997, 10,416 cases of acute hepatitis B were reported to CDC.
However, reported cases dramatically underestimate the actual number
of people
who are infected with hepatitis B virus each year-an estimated
200,000.
A recent study demonstrates the high degree of under-vaccination
among those at high risk. Among acute hepatitis B cases reported
by sentinel
counties in 1996, 70 percent had a missed opportunity for vaccination
in the past.
Of these, 42 percent had been treated for an STD in the past,
31 percent had been in prison or jail at some time in their lifetime,
and 25 percent
reported sexual or household contact with an HBV-infected person
(Mast, CDC, 1998).
