Hepatitis is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus which can be easily contracted from a victim through contact with body fluids. This could be either through sexual contact, blood contact, or even saliva. It could also be contracted if by chance a person consumes the waste passed out from a carrier. Slight contact with these fluids can transmit the disease.

For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis — a condition that permanently scars the liver.

If not treated with caution, this hepatitis virus would gradually grow into a more severe state which is known as Hepatitis B. This is the state that results in scarring of the liver, abnormal functionality of the liver, and in due time, liver cancer. These symptoms would only show after hepatitis A has developed into hepatitis B.

Symptoms 

• Abdominal pain.
• Dark urine.
• Fever.
• Joint pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, also called jaundice.

Mode of transmission

• Sexual contact. You may get hepatitis B if you have unprotected sex with someone who is infected. The virus can pass to you if the person’s blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions enter your body.
• Sharing of needles. HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV drug paraphernalia puts you at high risk of hepatitis B.
• Accidental needle sticks. Hepatitis B is a concern for healthcare workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood.
• Mother to child. Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid getting infected in almost all cases. Talk to your provider about being tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant.

Types of Hepatitis B 

• Acute hepatitis B infection lasts less than six months. Your immune system likely can clear acute hepatitis B from your body, and you should recover completely within a few months. Most people who get hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection, but it can lead to chronic infection.
• Chronic hepatitis B infection lasts six months or longer. It lingers because your immune system can’t fight off the infection. Chronic hepatitis B infection may last a lifetime, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Some people with chronic hepatitis B may have no symptoms at all. Some may have ongoing fatigue and mild symptoms of acute hepatitis.

Complications 

• Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). The inflammation associated with a hepatitis B infection can lead to extensive liver scarring (cirrhosis), which may impair the liver’s ability to function.
• Liver cancer. People with chronic hepatitis B infection have an increased risk of liver cancer.
• Liver failure. Acute liver failure is a condition in which the vital functions of the liver shut down. When that occurs, a liver transplant is necessary to stay alive.
• Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus. People with chronic hepatitis B who have suppression of their immune system are prone to reactivation of the hepatitis B virus. This can lead to significant liver damage or even liver failure. This includes people on immunosuppressive medications, such as high-dose corticosteroids or chemotherapy. Before taking these medications, you should be tested for hepatitis B. If you test positive for hepatitis B, you should be seen by a liver specialist (hepatologist) before starting these therapies.
• Other conditions. People with chronic hepatitis B may develop kidney disease or inflammation of blood vessels.

Prevention 

• Know the HBV status of any sexual partner. Don’t engage in unprotected sex unless you’re certain your partner isn’t infected with HBV or any other sexually transmitted infection.
• Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex if you don’t know the health status of your partner. Remember that although condoms can reduce your risk of contracting HBV, they don’t eliminate the risk.
• Don’t use illegal drugs. If you use illicit drugs, get help to stop. If you can’t stop, use a sterile needle each time you inject illicit drugs. Never share needles.
• Be cautious about body piercing and tattooing. If you get a piercing or tattoo, look for a reputable shop. Ask about how the equipment is cleaned. Make sure the employees use sterile needles. If you can’t get answers, look for another shop.
• Ask about the hepatitis B vaccine before you travel. If you’re traveling to a region where hepatitis B is common, ask your provider about the hepatitis B vaccine in advance. It’s usually given in a series of three injections over six months.

Diagnosis 

• Physical examination. Your healthcare provider will examine you and look for signs of liver damage, such as yellowing skin or belly pain. 
• Blood tests. Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body and tell your provider whether it’s acute or chronic. A simple blood test can also determine if you’re immune to the condition.
• Liver ultrasound. A special ultrasound called transient elastography can show the amount of liver damage.
• Liver biopsy. Your provider might remove a small sample of your liver for testing to check for liver damage. This is called a liver biopsy. During this test, your provider inserts a thin needle through your skin and into your liver and removes a tissue sample for laboratory analysis.

Forever Champion Health Centre Hepatitis B Treatment Therapy