European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 09, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Hepatitis b still a health threat Janet d Agostino medical writer hepatitis b continues to be a serious health problem around the world despite the existence of an Ell Clive vaccine. The blood borne disease is caused by a virus and spread in Many of the same ways As aids but it is not always latal however the disease does Lead to Many thousands of deaths every year usually irom cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. Hepatitis damages the liver making its victims More prone to these diseases. A vaccine was developed against hepatitis b in 1982 alter two decades of research however the vaccine is underutilized compared to vaccines against other infectious diseases such As measles. Unfortunately these successes in biomedical research were not matched by Success in Public health efforts to control hepatitis according to an editorial in the nov. 9,1989, Issue of the new England journal of Medicine. Hepatitis b is spread through Contact with infected blood through sexual Intercourse and through sharing of Needles among intravenous drug users. It is also passed from Mother to infant during pregnancy or birth. In a fair number of people the method of transmission is unknown. The chief obstacle to More adequate use of the vaccine seems to be limitations of the current plan to control the disease according to the editorial the vaccine has been aimed at people who Are at highest risk for hepatitis a such As intravenous drug users homosexual men and health care workers who Are routinely in Contact with blood products and body fluids. The plan does not take into account the frequency of transmission of the virus from Mother to infant or the methods of transmission that cannot be determined. Universal vaccination in the general . Population has not been considered necessary or desirable because hepatitis b infection is perceived As an uncommon disease that occurs largely in definable High risk groups according to the journal. Countries in Asia and Africa where hepatitis b is rampant have begun infant vaccination programs and vaccination of entire groups of certain populations. There is no similar plan in the United states where Hematite three to Tinct types one of several Van rats. The Mam of novt Trenum Long term Etla Ett vary from virus to Kuc. Al hit trip meet can cause a Terr Horary Over an to hta. Up ure Type b and non a. Non bean itto a Kim to in aaTwt9tnqf of Ait to to ii of the three Kindt to spread mainly by Lacal contamination including late Ltd Ira Aio whaler causes mkt to m e by inn Anu Tatkon m two to Lour ure Elii or esd mainly Wood i it a hating and maternal tr�nsmtssi0nm Contact a Clinding pvt a Intercourse often causes an episode of Ber disease one to imm mourns Afier to Iii Nekton. Up to 5or i0percentbecomiiie to w Hertert of the us and can transmit it Kon a. Non-9 up by minty a Wood Stu Wurte con Tad and mate mat transmission Are Jio possible routes a trus May us been . But similar v rules May Aust Twety to cause serious initial disease than other types but some of those exposed become me time earners Damn globulin of Trout or Horgy altar a port a Type � Catt me Nood of am. A Vic it of in against he Paw b Wutte t m Atwil it do not Fiammi reenters olt letting infection Wal he b Vojt can cause Ever cancer or or tronc liver Dewate
