Hepatitis is defined as the inflammation of the liver. Inflammation occurs when there is swelling that results from injured or infected tissues from the body. It is usually painful and red. The liver is an organ in our body that is responsible for removing dangerous chemicals from our blood, fight infections, assist in digesting food, and collects nutrients, various vitamins, and energy. We cannot live without out liver!
Hepatitis B is the infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV. The Hepatitis B virus causes liver damage through triggering an immune response as the body tries to get rid of the virus. The immune response in turn causes inflammation and will attack the liver cells.
Around 350 million people worldwide are infected with HPV, which counts for approximately 620,000 deaths yearly worldwide. Approximately 46,000 new cases of hepatitis B occurred in the United States on 2006 (Centers for Disease and Control/CDC). Here in the United States, those that are aged 25 to 44 years old tend to have higher rates of new HBV infections. There has been a 75% decrease in new cases of HBV in the past decade, which is mostly likely due to an increase of awareness for vaccinations, HIV/AIDS, and safer sex practices.
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