Hepatitis B: All You Need to Know about This Serious Disease — Health Fix Guide

The chronic, potentially deadly condition is known as hepatitis B. It is carried on by the hepatitis B virus and can be spread by touching an infected individual’s blood or bodily fluids. Hepatitis B can cause untreated liver cancer, cirrhosis, and even death. Understanding the causes, symptoms, types, and prevention of hepatitis B is essential for recognizing and managing this severe disease.

Causes hepatitis B

Infected blood or bodily fluids can spread the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which causes hepatitis B. The most frequent spreading methods usually are as follows:

• Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person
• Sharing a person’s infected needles, syringes, or other drug-injecting tools
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding if the mother is infected
• sharing personal care products with an infected person, such as toothbrushes or razors,
• coming into contact with infected blood or body fluids through an incidental needlestick injury
• From close household contact with an infected person
• Blood transfusions (although this is now rare in many countries due to screening of donated blood)

Hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact, such as hugging, kissing, coughing, or sneezing. The fact that many hepatitis B patients don’t show any symptoms but can infect others must always be kept in mind. Being vaccinated and following good hygiene and sex practices are the safest ways to protect against hepatitis B.

Symptoms of hepatitis B

Based on the severity of the infection, hepatitis B symptoms can change. Some people may not experience symptoms, while others may have mild to severe symptoms. Hepatitis B symptoms may include the following:

• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Joint pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stools
• Jaundice (a yellowing of the face and eyes)
• Fever
• Body aches

These symptoms can occur anywhere from six weeks to six months after exposure to the virus. It’s important to note that some people with hepatitis B may not show symptoms but can transmit the virus to others. If you have symptoms or think you might have been exposed to hepatitis B, you should contact a doctor for testing and treatment.

Types of hepatitis B

There is only one type of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is the cause of hepatitis B. However, there are different stages and phases of HBV infection that can be classified based on specific markers in the blood and the severity of liver damage. These stages include:

• Acute hepatitis B: This short-term infection occurs within the first six months after exposure to HBV. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Most people recover fully from acute hepatitis B, although some may develop chronic hepatitis B.
• Chronic hepatitis B: This is a long-term infection that lasts for more than six months. People with chronic hepatitis B may not experience symptoms for years, but the disease can cause severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• Asymptomatic hepatitis B: Some people infected with HBV may not experience any symptoms. They may eventually experience problems from the infection and can still spread the virus to other people.
• Fulminant hepatitis B: This is a rare and severe form of acute hepatitis B that can cause liver failure and lead to death. It occurs in less than 1% of people with acute hepatitis B.
• Coinfection with hepatitis D: Some people with hepatitis B may also be infected with hepatitis D (also known as delta hepatitis), which is caused by a different virus. Hepatitis D can only infect people with hepatitis B, leading to more severe liver damage than hepatitis B alone.

Remember that these stages and phases are only slightly different bodily manifestations of the same virus, not separate strains of hepatitis B.

How is hepatitis B diagnosed?

Hepatitis B is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies. Several procedures for hepatitis B diagnosis here include the following:

• Medical history: The doctor will ask about your symptoms, your vaccination history, your risk factors for hepatitis B (such as travel to high-risk areas, unprotected sex with infected individuals, or sharing needles), and any medications or supplements you are taking.
• Blood tests: Blood tests can detect the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the bloodstream. Two necessary blood tests for diagnosing hepatitis B are:
• HBsAg test: This test detects the surface antigen of the virus, which is the first sign of infection. If this antigen is present in the blood, it indicates that the person has an active infection.
• HBV DNA test: This test detects the virus’s genetic material in the blood. It is used to measure the viral load and monitor treatment effectiveness.
• Physical exam: A physical examination by the doctor may also be done to look for physical symptoms of liver impairment, such as swelling, stomach pain, and jaundice (skin and eye yellowing).
• Liver function tests: These tests measure the levels of various enzymes and proteins produced by the liver. In people with hepatitis B, these levels may be elevated, indicating liver damage.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can be used to evaluate the liver and look for signs of damage or disease.

If you feel you may have been infected with hepatitis B, you should see a doctor immediately, especially if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: jaundice, exhaustion, abdominal discomfort, or loss of appetite. Serious consequences can be prevented with early identification and treatment.

Can hepatitis B be prevented?

Definitely, vaccination and taking proper safety procedures can prevent hepatitis B.

The best and most effective protection against hepatitis B is vaccination. The vaccine is a series of three or four shots over six months. The vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing more than 90% protection against hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is recommended for all infants, children, adolescents, and adults at high risk for diseases, such as healthcare workers, people with multiple sexual partners, and people who inject drugs.

Other ways to prevent hepatitis B include:

• Practicing safe sex
• Avoiding sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia
• Not sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
• Using caution when getting tattoos or body piercings
• Taking precautions when working with blood or other bodily fluids in healthcare settings.

Taking these precautions and getting vaccinated can significantly reduce your risk of hepatitis B infection.

In summary, we hope knowing the definition of hepatitis B and its various forms can help individuals take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from this severe disease.

• What is Hepatitis B?

1. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic liver disease.

• How is Hepatitis B transmitted?

1. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through exposure to infected blood or body fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva of an infected person. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth.

• What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?

1. Many people with Hepatitis B have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. However, some people may experience more severe symptoms, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, and dark urine.

• How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?

1. Hepatitis B can be diagnosed through blood tests that look for specific proteins and antibodies associated with the virus. A doctor may also perform a liver function test to see how well the liver is functioning.

• How is Hepatitis B treated?

1. There is no specific cure for Hepatitis B, but antiviral medications can help manage the infection and prevent liver damage. In some cases, a person’s immune system can clear the virus on its own. It is important to avoid alcohol and certain medications that can damage the liver while infected with Hepatitis B. Vaccination is available to prevent Hepatitis B infection.

Originally published at https://healthfixguide.com on March 25, 2023.