Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is part of a group of viruses that affect the liver and also include Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C. According to the World Health Organizaiton (WHO Fact Sheet), approximately two billion people around the world have the disease and nearly 600,000 die from complications of Hepatitis B every year. It is highly transmittable and is estimated to be between 50 and 100 times more likely to infect someone when present than HIV.
The liver is the body’s way of detoxifying. It filters and purifies the blood by removing toxins and keeping available nutrients. When someone contracts Hepatitis B through exposure to the virus, it can be fatal. This risk is especially high in developing countries where there is a lack of information and knowledge about the disease. Once Hepatitis B is contracted, it can cause irreparable damage to the liver through chronic liver disease. People who have the disease have an increased risk of developing liver cancer or dying from cirrhosis of the liver.
Symptoms
There are two distinct types of illnesses caused by Hepatitis B. The first is an acute infection that results in symptoms which might include jaundice (yellow-colored eyes and skin), urine that is dark in color, excessive fatigue, diminished appetite, headache, diarrhea, constipation mild fever, abdominal pain, bodily aches, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Some people describe a sensation of discomfort in the area where the liver is located on the right side of the body below the ribs. These symptoms can last for a period of weeks. However, most people who are infected do not actually experience any symptoms during the acute phase. In fact, according to Web MD, less than half of people infected with the acute version develop symptoms.
In many cases, people are infected and they don’t know it. They might find out through a blood test or when they donate blood. If you find out that someone in your family or someone that you have had oral, anal, or vaginal sex with has become infected, you should get tested. When Hepatitis B is chronic and undetected, the first sign can be cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. However, this is unlikely if you get regular checkups.
Causes
Hepatitis B is caused when one person exchanges fluids, whether it is semen, blood, or vaginal fluid with another person who has the Hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV. This transmission can occur through a variety of ways. The most common is sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis B. If the virus comes into contact with small cuts or breaks in the lining of the mouth, vagina, rectum, or uretha, it can be transmitted.
Another behavior that can increase someone’s risk of contracting HBV is sharing needles while doing illegal drugs. Body piercings and tattoos that are done with equipment that hasn’t been properly sterilized and is contaminated with infected blood are also common routes of exposure. In addition, people can contract the virus through their jobs, for instance if they work with blood and are accidentally pricked with a used needle or instrument. Sharing razors, toothbrushes, or other grooming implements that might contain bodily fluids is also a mode of transmission.
Mothers can also pass Hepatitis B on to their children during childbirth, when the child comes into contact with the mother’s fluids. Today, there are treatments to try to prevent this if doctors are aware that the mother is infected.
Prevention
Fortunately, there is a vaccine which can protect against Hepatitis B. It is recommended that all children are given the vaccine, which is administered three or four injections. The vaccine is also recommended for children below the age of 18. Protection from the Hepatitis B virus lasts for up to 20 years and potentially more. The World Health Organization (WHO) also suggests that people who are in high-risk groups, such as intravenous drug users, people who work with blood, travelers to areas where Hepatitis B is prevalent, and those with risky sexual behaviors, get the vaccine.
Without the vaccine, you can prevent transmission by following some simple guidelines. You should not share nail clippers, razors, or other grooming tools with strangers. If you do drugs, don’t share any of your equipment whether it’s needles, cookers, pipes, or spoons. If you would like to get a tattoo or body piercing, you should ensure that the equipment has been thoroughly sterilized. Having safe sex is also a way to lower your risk of contracting HBV.
Treatment
There is no allotted course of medical treatment for acute infections. In most cases, doctors recommend eating healthy, taking in plenty of fluids, and trying to minimize stress. In cases of chronic Hepatitis B, there are some drugs which can prevent the onset of liver disease. If liver cancer develops, it is almost always fatal. It can result in death within mere months of the first diagnosis, although when possible, chemotherapy or surgery can help to prolong the patient’s life by a couple of years at the most. A liver transplant is the only option for those that end up suffering from cirrhosis.