How do vaccines against hepatitis B prevent liver disease and cancer?
Quick Answer
Hepatitis B vaccines protect against infection with the hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease and liver cancer. By preventing infection early, they reduce long-term damage.
The Full Story
Hepatitis B virus can spread through blood and other body fluids and may cause chronic infection, especially when acquired early in life. Long-term infection can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, a major form of liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine uses a viral surface protein to trigger immunity without exposing people to the full virus. It has been part of routine infant immunization in many countries since the 1980s and is also given to high-risk adults. Widespread vaccination has sharply reduced hepatitis B infections in many regions.
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