Each of us must have heard of a disease called hepatitis. Some of us even read about it in school.

Hepatitis has three types. There is Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is the infectious type that is spread through contaminated water. The other two types (hepatitis B and hepatitis C) are spread through blood and other body fluids.

CAUSES OF HEPATITIS B

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which severely infects the liver. If it lasts more than six months, it becomes a chronic condition. In that case, it can cause permanent liver damage by causing other diseases like liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and even liver failure.

Like any other virus, the hepatitis B virus cannot be confined to one person’s body. It also spreads from one person to another for the following reasons:

(I) Hepatitis B virus is present in the body fluids and reproductive tracts of men and women. Having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who already has this virus can cause transmission. The safest way is to use birth control during any sexual intercourse to prevent this virus from spreading.

(II) It is also caused by the use of contaminated injection needles that carry the virus. It occurs when two or more people do not use disposable syringes.

(III) Contaminated blood transfusions have also increased the number of cases of hepatitis B worldwide.

(IV) In some cases, there has been transmission from mother to child. The virus has spread from the mother’s body to the body of her newborn.

SYMPTOM

Symptoms vary according to different age groups. Children under the age of five show absolutely no symptoms, even if they are infected. Infected adults usually have yellow skin and eyes, and even their urine turns a deep yellow or brown color. In addition, infected people suffer from fatigue, which can last for weeks and sometimes persist for months. Some other symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and joint pain. In addition, swollen blood vessels appear and the host’s body weakens.

PREDOMINANCE

Hepatitis B has been found more in adults than in young children. Teenagers are also less likely to be affected by this disease. Regarding different countries, Hepatitis B has been found to be more prevalent in the countries of South Africa and the Southeast Asian region. Additionally, there have been many cases in the Pacific and Australian areas. American countries have been less infected with this virus.

TREATMENT

Like all viruses, hepatitis B treatment involves a vaccine. But first you have to make the diagnosis of the patient, which can be in many alternative ways. These include blood tests, which can determine whether the virus in your body is chronic or acute. There is ultrasonography, which can detect the amount of liver damage. Finally, there is a liver biopsy, where your doctor removes a small part of your liver and checks to see if the virus is present or if there is any damage.

MEDICATIONS FOR HEPATITIS B it involves antiviral drugs that reduce the ability of the virus to replicate. These drugs are recommended only for those patients suffering from chronic conditions.