Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused..........breast milk has not been conclusively proven to be infectious.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver ...

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus. It is the most serious among all types of viral hepatitis. The possibility of severe complications such as massive damage to liver cells and its strong association with lever cancer is high. About 3-5% of Malaysians are Hepatitis B carriers. The incidence is even higher in the Chinese community. More than one million people worldwide die from chronic Hepatitis B every year. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood or blood products. For example, those receiving transfusion of infected blood or blood products and having cuts and grazes by sharing sharp instruments like razors, toothbrushes, shavers, etc., are vulnerable. Those who have had acupuncture, tattoo, ear piercing with infected instruments are also not spared. Above all, those especially drug addicts who use infected needles are most prone to contracting Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus is also transmitted through contact with semen and vaginal fluid of infected persons, or from an infected mother to a newborn child. Nearly 90% of infected newborns become carriers, 20-25% of whom usually die of complications caused by Hepatitis B during adulthood. Contact with other body fluids like sweat, tears and breast milk has not been conclusively proven to be infectious.

Summary: Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus. Being the most serious type of viral hepatitis, it causes severe complications to the liver. 3-5% of Malaysians are Hepatitis B carriers and more than one million people world wide die from chronic Hepatitis B annually. It is transmitted though contact with infected blood or blood products. Those receiving blood transfusion or sharing sharp instruments are likely victims. Hepatitis B is also transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner of from an infected mother to a child. In the latter, nearly 90% of newborns become carriers.