Hepatitis BThe hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the Hepadnarvirus family. Viral particles consist of a lipid envelope containing surface antigens, HBsAg, a core consisting of proteins, viral DNA and polymerase. These virions are approximately forty nm in diameter and are known as one of the smallest enveloped animal viruses. It infects hepatocytes, also called Dana particles. The HBV genome is circular, partly double-stranded, and approximately 3,200 nucleotides long. Baruch Blumberd first discovered HBV in 1963 when he discovered an antigen that showed the presence of HBV in blood samples. Dr. Blumberd and his colleagues traveled the world collecting blood samples. They specifically studied patients who received multiple blood transfusions. After research, they found the antigen responsible for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B was then recognized in 1967. Two years later, Dr. Blumberg and his colleague invented the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine was named the first cancer vaccine by the United States Food and Drug Administration due to its prevention of chronic hepatitis infections, which resulted in the prevention of liver cancer due to HBV. Hepatitis B vaccines are now administered to millions of people, particularly in Asia and Africa. Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood and body fluids. This can happen in several ways. First, it can come from direct blood-to-blood contact. This can happen when a person receives a blood transfusion from an infected person. These cases were more common when doctors did not test blood samples for viruses before a blood transfusion. Second, it can be transmitted during unprotected sex. An individual can become infected during unprotected sexual intercourse...... middle of paper ...... Tis B infections last longer and require antiviral treatments. Some of the medications used to treat hepatitis B are interferon alpha, lamivudine, and adefovir dipivoxil. Works cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 16, 2012. Web. May 1, 2014. “Hepatitis B”. Definition. Np, September 1, 2011. Web. May 1, 2014. “Statistics.” Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B Foundation. Np, February 12, 2014. Web. May 1, 2014. "Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: who to treat, what to use and for how long?" National Center for Biotechnology Information. US National Library of Medicine, October 2004. Web. May 1 2014. .