Hepatitis B
National studies show that about 12.5 million Americans have been infected with hepatitis B virus at some point in their lifetime. The proportion of the world's population currently infected with the virus is estimated to be between 3 and 6 percent. Over 10 percent of infected individuals develop chronic infection, increasing chances for chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, with the recent advent of the vaccine, the number of new infections per year has declined from an average of 450,000 in the 1980s to 7,996 in 2002.
As of 2005, the United States has reported a decrease in reported new hepatitis B infections of 98 percent based on historical rates. Many parents mistakenly believe that hepatitis B is strictly a sexually transmitted disease and so are reluctant to have their child vaccinated at the recommended age. In fact, an individual who is unaware that they have hepatitis B can easily pass on the disease to an unvaccinated child through actions as simple as a kiss on the mouth, the sharing of a toothbrush or contact with blood (as can happen when kissing a boo boo). At least 30 percent of reported hepatitis B infections among adults cannot be associated with an identifiable risk factor. Newborns that become infected with hepatitis B virus have a 90 percent chance of developing lifelong infection.
If your child gets infected, he or she can develop serious liver damage and might get liver cancer later in life. By vaccinating your child at birth you can protect your baby from this serious disease.
