Most of the 300 million people infected live in Asia and Africa, though 1.5 million are in the United States. The liver plays a crucial role in cleaning the blood and metabolizing different substances we ingest. People first infected with HBV commonly get flu-like symptoms with body aches, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. In the majority of adults, HBV infection then goes into a remission without any signs or symptoms.
Diagnosis is made by a blood test.
All pregnant women are routinely tested as the easiest way to get this disease is by getting it from your mother while being born. Currently there is no cure for Hepatitis B, though promising research is underway. Interferon, ribavirin, and lamivudine, are the most common options currently used by physicians treating chronic hepatitis B. Prevention of this disease, however, is the goal. The best protection is by getting immunized. Currently all newborn babies in the U.S. are offered this three-shot vaccination series.