Overview
Hepatitis B is a severe liver disease spread by the hepatitis virus. The hepatitis virus mainly attacks the liver, causing inflammation. Hepatitis B, also called HBV and Hep B, can cause cirrhosis (hardening or scarring), liver cancer, and even death.
There are two types of Hepatitis B, acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis only lasts for six months, while chronic is long-lasting and can cause severe liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Key facts
- Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus
- Many people who have the virus will not experience any symptoms
- The virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her unborn child through sharing needles and unprotected sex.
- Symptoms include loss of appetite, diarrhoea, feeling sick, tummy pain, and jaundice.
- Hepatitis B can be prevented by getting the vaccine
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Symptoms
Some persons infected with hepatitis B do not experience any symptoms. Newly infected persons might experience symptoms for weeks ranging from mild to severe. They may include;
- Stomach pain.
- Achy muscles or joints.
- Mild fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- Loose stool (diarrhoea).
- Perpetual exhaustion
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Constipation
- Feeling sick in your stomach
- Brown-ish urine
You should seek medical advice if exposed to the hepatitis B virus. Emergency treatment is available to help prevent infection if given within a few days of exposure. 90% of adults who are infected make a full recovery.
Diagnosis
There are three significant ways to diagnose HBV infection. These include;
- Blood tests: Tests of the blood serum (or plasma) show how your body’s immune system responds to the virus. A blood test can also detect if the virus is in your blood.
- Abdominal ultrasound: The ultrasound test uses sound waves to show the size and shape of your liver and tell how well blood flows through it.
- Liver biopsy: A small portion of the liver is removed to be examined in a lab.
The blood test to detect HBV differs from your routine blood test. Often, most people find they have been infected by the virus when they try to donate blood. Blood to be donated is usually screened for hepatitis b.
The HBV virus has to be within 30 to 60 days of incubation before it can be detected in a test. While some people do not get any symptoms, 70% of adults in contact with the hepatitis B virus develop symptoms, which appear on an average of 3 months after exposure to the virus.
Causes
The hepatitis virus can be found in the body fluids of infected persons, that is, the blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
It can be spread:
- By having unprotected sex with someone infected
- From mother to child. This is most common in countries where the infection rate is high.
- From child to child within families
- By sharing insert needles with infected people
- By having a tattoo, body piercings, or using dental treatment equipment from unsterilised equipment
- Using toothbrushes or razors contaminated with hepatitis B
Hepatitis cannot be shared through hugging, kissing, or sharing cooking utensils with someone infected.
Prevention
Getting the hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent and control the spread of the disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the vaccine is 98-100% effective in protecting against the virus. It is also safe and advisable for newborns to get the vaccine.
The spread of the disease through blood donation and transfusion has been drastically reduced thanks to the global adoption of safe practices.
WHO says 97% of the blood donated worldwide is screened for HBV and other diseases to ensure they’re safe for transfusion.
Additionally, safer blood injection practices and using clean needles are being employed in hospitals.
You can prevent getting the virus by;
- Practising safe sex using condoms
- Not sharing personal hygiene or grooming items like toothbrushes and razors.
- Not sharing needles used to inject drugs.
- Only get tattoos/piercings from shops that practice safe hygiene.
Treatments
There’s currently no cure for hepatitis B, but the condition can be appropriately managed, and those living with the disease can lead a normal life.
Lifestyle modifications are one of the best ways to manage Hepatitis B. Eating a healthy diet and abstaining from taking alcoholic beverages. Any form of tobacco smoking is crucial to managing this condition.
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis B infection can be relieved with medicines, including oral antiviral agents. The treatment slows the progression of cirrhosis to reduce the risk of liver cancer and improve the survival rate.
The liver transplant surgery may be recommended in cases of advanced hepatitis B. However, this does not clear out the hepatitis virus in your blood. After your transplant, your healthcare provider will prescribe hepatitis B immunoglobulin with an antiviral agent to prevent reinfection.
Generally, it is advised to get screened for hepatitis b twice a year. As it is with most health conditions, early detection greatly improves prognosis. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to the virus, get an antibody injection within 12 hours.
Conclusion
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause severe damage to your health. This disease is hazardous because it can go undetected for years. However, the future is not bleak for people who test positive for hepatitis B, as they can lead whole lives with proper disease management.
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