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Hepatitis B Main Forums => Hepatitis B => Topic started by: Hep Editors on October 28, 2019, 12:42:22 pm

Title: Opioid Epidemic May Be Driving Rise in Hep B Among Women in Appalachia
Post by: Hep Editors on October 28, 2019, 12:42:22 pm
New diagnoses of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among women of childbearing age have declined nationally in recent years yet have risen in a few Appalachian states, Healio reports. This finding has led researchers to theorize that the opioid epidemic, which has dramatically driven up new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV), may also be leading to a rise in new HBV infections.

Both HCV and HBV can be transmitted through the sharing of injection drug needles, syringes and other drug paraphernalia. While there is no vaccine for HCV, there is one for HBV. So the opioid epidemic’s effects on the latter virus’s spread will hopefully remain relatively muted, given how widespread the use of the vaccine has been.

Read more...
https://www.hepmag.com/article/opioid-epidemic-may-driving-rise-hep-b-among-women-appalachia