Hepatitis B has become a very real concern to United States health officials as nearly 200,000 new cases are reported annually. Currently, at least 1.25 million Americans live with chronic hepatitis B infection. According to Ginny Peterson of Salt Lake's Community Nursing Services, the infection is easier to contract and teens are at a high risk for transmission, which can take place through blood, semen and saliva. Statistics indicate that one in 20 Americans will be exposed to hepatitis B, and 10 percent of those will become chronically ill. Hepatitis B is the focus of an ongoing community-wide campaign in Salt Lake City that aims to ensure that area teens are immunized and informed.