title: Epidemiology and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. The recognition of the problem led to a worldwide effort to reduce transmission of HBV through routine infant vaccination. HBV infection is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. After hepatitis B vaccine era, seroprevalence of hepatits B surface antigen is decreasing, particularly in children. Hepatitis B vaccine is remarkably safe and shows high immunogenicity. Universal childhood immunization with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine in the first year of life is a highly effective method for prevention and control of hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: So Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Chang Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines