Hepatitis B

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?

Hepatitis B is a liver disease.(HBV)
Hepatitis * means inflammation of the liver.
Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly.

This infection has two possible phases;
1) acute and 2) chronic.

Acute hepatitis B refers to newly acquired infections. Affected individuals notice symptoms approximately 1 to 4 months after exposure to the virus. In most people with acute hepatitis, symptoms resolve over weeks to months and they are cured of the infection. However, a small number of people develop a very severe, life-threatening form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis.

Chronic hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 months. Once the infection becomes chronic, it may never go away completely.

Approximately 90% to 95% of infected adults are able to fight off the virus so their infection is cured. Only about 5% to 10% of adults infected with HBV go on to develop chronic infection. Children are at much higher risk for chronic infection. Up to 90% of infected young children will fail to clear the virus from their bodies and go on to develop chronic infection.

About two-thirds of people with chronic HBV infection are chronic carriers. These people do not develop symptoms, even though they harbor the virus and can transmit it to other people. The remaining one third develop "active" hepatitis, a disease of the liver that can be very serious.

WHAT IS LIVER?

The liver is an important organ that filters toxins out of the blood, stores energy for later use, helps with digestion, and makes substances that fight infections and control bleeding.

The liver has an incredible ability to heal itself, but long-term inflammation caused by HBV can result in permanent damage.

Scarring of the liver is called cirrhosis, a condition traditionally associated with alcoholism but one that is also caused by chronic active hepatitis B infection. When this occurs, the liver can no longer carry out its normal functions and may fail completely. The only treatment for liver failure is liver transplant.

Chronic hepatitis B also can lead to a type of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma.

Any of these conditions can be fatal. About 15% to 25% percent of people with chronic hepatitis B die of liver disease.

TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS B

Contact through BLOOD and BODY FLUID may lead to infection. HBV is spread:

1)from the infected mother to her baby during birth;

2)through unsafe sex, such as having sex with an infected partner without using a condom;

3)by sharing needles or other injecting equipment when "shooting"drug;

4)through needlestick or sharp exposures on the job.

Daily contact such as hugging and dining together DO NOT spread HBV infection.

*You cannot get hepatitis B from the following activities:

1. Having someone sneeze or cough on you

2. Hugging someone

3. Handshaking a persons hand

4. Breastfeeding your child

5. Eating food or drinking water

6. Casual contact (such as an office or social setting)


HEPATITIS B SYMPTOMS

50% of all people infected with the hepatitis B virus have no symptoms and may never realize that they have been infected. Adults are more likely to develop symptoms than children.symptoms usually develop within 1 to 4 months after exposure to the virus.
The initial symptoms are often similar to the flu.

#Common symptoms of hepatitis B include:

1.Appetite loss

2.Feeling tired (fatigue)

3.Nausea and vomiting

4.Itching all over the body

5.Pain over the location of the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage)

6.Jaundice (a condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in color)

7.Dark urine (the color of cola or tea)

8.Pale-colored stools (grayish or clay colored)

How is hepatitis B diagnosed?

Hepatitis B is diagnosed through blood tests, which can also show if you have chronic hepatitis B or another type of hepatitis.It usually takes 1 to 3 days if you want to undergo blood test from clinics.
Your doctor may suggest getting a liver biopsy if chronic hepatitis B is suspected. A liver biopsy is a test for liver damage. The doctor uses a needle to remove a tiny piece of liver, which is then looked at with a microscope.

How is hepatitis B treated?

Hepatitis B usually is not treated unless it becomes chronic.
Chronic hepatitis B is treated with drugs that slow or stop the virus from damaging the liver. The length of treatment varies. Your doctor will help you decide which drug or drug combination is likely to work for you and will closely watch your symptoms to make sure treatment is working.

1.Drugs given by shots include
interferon
peginterferon

2.Drugs taken by mouth include
lamivudine
telbivudine
adefovir
entecavir

3.Liver Transplantation
A liver transplant may be necessary if chronic hepatitis B causes liver failure. Liver transplantation surgery replaces a failed liver with a healthy one from a donor. Medicines taken after surgery can prevent hepatitis B from coming back.


How can I avoid getting hepatitis B?

1.You can avoid getting hepatitis B by getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
Vaccines are medicines that keep you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack specific germs. The hepatitis B vaccine teaches your body to attack the hepatitis B virus.

2.The hepatitis B vaccine protects you from infection.
~Adults at higher risk of getting hepatitis B and all children should get the vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is given through three shots over a period of several months. There is no minimum age for vaccination. The second shot should be given at least 1 month after the first, and the last shot should be given at least 2 months after the second shot but no sooner than 4 months after the first. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe for pregnant women.

3.You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you use a condom during sex

4.do not share drug needles

5.wear gloves if you have to touch another person’s blood

6.do not borrow another person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it

7.make sure any tattoos or body piercings you get are done with sterile tools

8.do not donate blood or blood products if you have hepatitis B

9.Wear gloves if you have to touch another person’s blood.

10.You need all three shots to be fully protected. If you are traveling to a country where hepatitis B is common, try to get all the shots before you go. If you don’t have time to get all the shots before you go, get as many as you can. One shot may provide some protection against the virus.

Self-Care at Home

The goals of self-care are to relieve symptoms and prevent worsening of the disease.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Although, broth, sports drinks, gelatin, frozen ice treats (such as Popsicles), and fruit juices may be better because they also provide calories.

Ask your physician before taking any medications, even those that are over-the-counter. Some medications depend on the liver, and liver damage may impair the body's ability to metabolize these drugs. If you are on prescription medications, check with your physician to see if the doses should be adjusted or if the medication should be temporarily discontinued.

Avoid drinking alcohol until your health care practitioner allows it. Individuals with chronic HBV should avoid alcohol for the rest of their lives.

Try to eat a diet that provides adequate nutrition. Take it easy. It may take some time for your energy level to return to normal.

Avoid prolonged, vigorous exercise until symptoms start to improve.

Call your health care practitioner for advice if your condition worsens or new symptoms appear.

Avoid any activity that may spread the infection to other people (sexual intercourse, sharing needles, etc).


So take care of yourself and love yourself.

~We Survive