Source: NYSDOH http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicab
le/hepatitis/hbvinfo.htm. Accessed May 1, 2008. Revised January
2008. Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in
the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which is
100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus. HBV is most
efficiently transmitted through contact with blood and body
fluids of an infected person. This can occur through direct
blood-to-blood contact, sex, illicit drug use, and from an
infected mother to her newborn during delivery. HBV spreads
because many people are unaware they are infected with the virus
and unknowingly pass it on to those who are in close contact
with them. Most people are able to fight off an HBV infection
and clear the virus from their blood. However, 5-10% of adults,
30-50% of children, and 90% of infants will develop chronic
infection which can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring)
or cancer of the liver. Approximately 400 million persons
worldwide are chronically infected w