Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. In some cases, the infection causes fever, fatigue, and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). About 5-10% of infected adults are unable to get rid of the infected cells. Ultimately, the chronic infection may scar the liver (cirrhosis) and cause death from liver failure. Over 90% of infants who acquire hepatitis B at birth from their infected mothers will develop chronic infection. Since many years may elapse between the infection and onset of illness from chronic liver disease, people may not realize they are carriers.
Since routine immunization programs for children have been introduced there has been a continuous decline in the incidence of hepatitis B.
1982–present – The vaccine has been shown to be a safe and effective way to prevent infection. It is too new to have made an impact on the rate of chronic infection around the world.
1998 – Following concerns that the vaccine may be linked to multiple sclerosis, the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board — a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre — convened an international conference in September 1998. After examining relevant data, the conference concluded that there is no evidence of a link between hepatitis B virus and disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Since routine immunization programs for children have been introduced there has been a continuous decline in the incidence of hepatitis B.
Capsule History
Before vaccine – Approximately 300 million people worldwide were carriers of hepatitis B. An estimated 20,000 new infections occurred in Canada each year.1982–present – The vaccine has been shown to be a safe and effective way to prevent infection. It is too new to have made an impact on the rate of chronic infection around the world.
1998 – Following concerns that the vaccine may be linked to multiple sclerosis, the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board — a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre — convened an international conference in September 1998. After examining relevant data, the conference concluded that there is no evidence of a link between hepatitis B virus and disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).