Hepatitis B is a big concern because it can cause liver damage. The liver is the largest intestinal organ in the body and it performs more functions than any other body part. The reddish-brown tissue is essential as a digestive gland, chemical factory, blood purifier, poison processor, and food storage and distribution center. It stores up to ten percent of your total blood supply, and you can’t live without it. (How to Avoid Hepatitis B &C, 1).

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, a bacterial infection, or injury from overwhelming amounts of alcohol, drugs, or environmental poisons. It can also result from autoimmune diseases, genetic defects, or tumors, and can either be acute which is suddenly onset or chronic which is long term. It is usually chronic and involves progressive liver damage, and includes cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver, and liver cancer. (How to Avoid Hepatitis B & C, 1).

The fact that many people infected with

There are several groups of people who are at the highest risk of becoming infected with the Hepatitis B virus. Those sexually active adults and teenagers, especially those who have had more than one sexual partner in the last six months, those who have had unprotected sex, or those who have had, or are currently having a homosexual relationship. Those who are health, dental, and emergency care personnel because the virus is highly resilient. Adoptive families, especially those who plan to adopt children from Asia, parts of Africa, South America, and Eastern and Mediterranean Europe because they have the largest number of people infected with the disease. Those who are injecting, intravenous drug users. Those children born to a mother carrying the Hepatitis B virus. People, who get tattoos, ear piercings or other body piercings, with unsterile needles. People who plan to travel to high-risk countries which include places where over two percent of the population is infected with Hepatitis B. (Hepatitis B Foundation Information, 2).

Those who are already infected will not benefit from the vaccine. However, infants born to mothers who are carriers of the Hepatitis B virus can be protected. A simple blood test can determine whether someone is a Hepatitis B carrier. The immunization of infants requires three doses of the vaccine according to the following schedule: the first dose for infants born to infected mothers within the first twelve hours. For those infants born to mothers who test negative to Hepatitis B they should receive the vaccination within one to two months following delivery. The second dose should be given one month later. The third dose should be given six

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