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 transmitted through contaminated water. The other two types (hepatitis B and hepatitis C) are transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.
CAUSES OF HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which severely infects the liver. If it lasts for more than six months, it becomes a chronic condition. In that case, it can cause permanent damage to the liver 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 a single person’s body. It also spreads from person to person for the following reasons:
(I) The hepatitis B virus is present in the bodily fluids and reproductive tracts of both men and women. Having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who already has this virus can lead to its 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 hepatitis B cases 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.
SYMPTOMS
The 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 deep yellow or brown. In addition, infected people suffer from fatigue, which can last for weeks and sometimes persists for months. Some other symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and joint pain. In addition, inflamed 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. With respect to different countries, Hepatitis B has been found to be more prevalent in the countries of South Africa and the Southeast Asian region. In addition, there have been many cases in the Pacific areas and Australia. American countries have been less infected with this virus.
TREATMENT
Like all viruses, treatment for hepatitis B involves a vaccine. But first, the patient must be diagnosed, which can be done in many alternative ways. These include blood tests, which can determine if 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.
HEPATITIS B MEDICATIONS involves antiviral drugs that reduce the ability of the virus to replicate. These drugs are recommended only for those patients who suffer from chronic conditions.
