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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) currently is found in more than 300 million people worldwide. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, 5,000 Americans die from chronic hepatitis B and its complications each year.

HBV is easily spread by any method in which bodily !uids come into contact with the blood stream of another individual. Those who share needles for the purpose of intravenous drug use, who get tattoos or even ear piercing, who are inadvertently stuck by contaminated needles such as hospital personnel, or who have sexual contact with a hepatitis B virus-infected individual may become infected. Casual contact is rarely a problem.

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective in protecting those who have not been exposed to the virus previously. Additionally, to guard against hepatitis B:

• Do not share drug needles.
• Wear gloves if you have to touch another person’s blood.
• Use a condom during sex.
• Do not borrow another person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything that could have blood on it, and make sure any tattoos or body piercings you receive are performed with sterile tools.

Chronic hepatitis B is treated with drugs that slow or stop the virus from damaging the liver. The length of treatment varies, depending on the drug or drug combinations selected for treatment.

Clinical Trials

The Clinical Center for Liver Diseases has been a part of more than 40 clinical trials in the last 20 years and has been part of major, national, ongoing research networks in hepatitis B, hepatitis C, drug-induced liver injury and acute liver failure. No other center in Texas can make this claim.

UT Southwestern is one of 13 sites for the Hepatitis B Research Network, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is currently enrolling selected patients into a large study. Participation is entirely voluntary but offers the opportunity to receive cutting-edge care in a highly supervised environment. More information is available at hepbnet.org.