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Chronic hepatitis B: current epidemiology in the Americas and implications for management
Author(s) -
Gish R. G.,
Gadano A. C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00787.x
Subject(s) - transmission (telecommunications) , epidemiology , incidence (geometry) , hepatitis b virus , geography , hepatitis b , disease , medicine , environmental health , demography , virology , virus , pathology , optics , sociology , electrical engineering , engineering , physics
Summary. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a serious health threat in many parts of the world. Although its prevalence is lower in the Americas than in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in North, Central and South America. There is a nonuniform pattern of distribution throughout this region, with HBV prevalence related to geographical, social and cultural factors that predispose certain individuals to infection. This report details the incidence, modes of viral transmission of hepatitis B in the Americas and clinical course of disease in different regions of the Americas. Additionally, the implications for management focusing on issues predominant in high‐risk populations are presented.