Below are common myths that people might believe about Hepatitis B. Click on the + button on the right to find the answer.
The Hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus
True.
HBV and HIV can be transmitted in similar ways, but HBV is 100x more infectious.
Hepatitis B is the primary cause of liver cancer, which is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the world.
True
Other causes of liver cancer are alcohol abuse, hemochromatosis, cirrhosis, and birth defects.
There is no vaccine for Hepatitis B.
False.
There is a vaccine for HBV. 3 shots taken over 6 months. The vaccine is so effective in preventing liver cancer that the WHO (World Health Organization) calls it the first anti-cancer vaccine. There are also patient-assistance plans for people with low-income.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sharing foods.
False.
Hepatitis A can be transmitted through food and water. Hepatitis B is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, and from an infected woman to her newborn during pregnancy or childbirth.
Asian and Pacific Islanders are at high risk for chronic Hepatitis B infection.
True.
1 in 12 Asian and Pacific Islanders live with chronic Hepatitis B. 1 in 200 African American live with chronic Hepatitis B. 1 in 800 Caucasians live with chronic Hepatitis B. There is no clear answer to the origins of why HBV is so common in Asia.