By Olor
Hepatitis B (HBV) is an infectious disease that’s caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It is a type of viral hepatitis which as the name implies hepa-titis affects and in severe cases damages the liver. It can cause both acute and chronic infection to those affected.
Many people are asymptomatic (show no symptoms) during an initial infection. For others, symptoms may appear within 30 to 180 days after becoming infected and can include a rapid onset of sickness with nausea, vomiting, yellowish skin (jaundice), extreme fatigue and weakness, dark urine, joints pain, loss of appetite, itching all over the body, pale stole as well as abdominal pain. Symptoms during acute infection typically last for a few weeks, though some people may feel sick for up to six months. Consequential deaths from acute stage HBV infections are uncommon though occurs.
Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through direct exposure to the virus by direct contact with infected blood, semen other bodily fluids. The risk factors of an infection caused by Hepatitis B virus includes; unprotected sexual contact with an Infected person, sharing of contaminated needles and syringes, accidental needle sticks/pricks commonly reported in healthcare workers, infected mother transmitting to her child during child birth, homosexuality in men, transfusion of Infected blood or blood products, as well as transplant of Infected organs.
This disease is preventable through precautions such as; immediately contacting a doctor and an injection of hepatitis B antibodies administered within 12 hours of coming in contact with the virus. Vaccination should be administered at the same time, in cases where it hasn’t been done; multiple sex partners should be avoided; practicing safe sex; use of condoms; talk to your partner and get tested for HBV; avoid sharing needles and syringes; avoid sharing razor blades as well as toothbrushes; get vaccinated for HBV; avoid body piercing and tattooing; healthcare workers must be cautious while handling needles as well as blood products; a donor must be thoroughly screened/checked for infections before transfusion or transplantation.
Hepatitis B virus can be managed, however there is no known cure for this disease. Clinically, it requires lab tests or imaging to detect or diagnose the disease to check for infection or other causes of the symptoms, tests are performed to detect the presence of Hepatitis B antigens and antibodies such as HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). The presence of HBsAg indicates that the person is infectious; the presence of HBsAb may indicate recovery and immunity from HBV infection, or successful immunization against HBV. It is usually prevented by vaccine, transmissible through direct contact and more common in males.
If left untreated for a prolonged period of time, it could lead to liver failure, liver cirrhosis, cancer of the liver, kidney diseases, inflammation or swelling of blood vessels, as well as anemia.
Treatment of HBV includes:
Medication administration such as antivirals: whichcannot clear the infection but can stop the replication of the virus and minimize liver damage. Immunomodulators: which reduces the viral load by preventing replication of viruses. However, response differs with genetic variations of the virus. Liver transplantation: this is a recommended procedure in cases of severely damaged liver.
Self-care (Always talk to your provider before starting anything); take adequate rest; eat a healthy diet; take plenty of fluids.
Nutrition; as the saying implies, “you are what you eat” thus eating healthy and nutritious diets, including fresh fruits and vegetables in diets as well as drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, are all tips to staying healthy and preventing most diseases. On the other hand, staying away from alcohol is a means of dealing with hepatitis B virus as well as avoiding foods high in saturated fats.
Add comment