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HEPATITIS B EXPLAINED

Hepatitis B is an infective virus that affects the liver. Most of the adults suffering from hepatitis B have a short-lived episode of the disease which tends to improve over time. This is a case of typical acute hepatitis B.

An individual might have all or some of the symptoms of hepatitis B without even knowing that he/she is having the disease. In some cases, individuals might not experience any symptoms at all. If at all the symptoms manifest, one might experience flu-like symptoms. But till the time the virus is present in the body, it can highly spread across to other people.

There are times when this virus might cause long-term infections, which is known as chronic hepatitis B. Over time, this can as well damage the liver. Infants and children are more prone to this disease in its chronic form.

THE CAUSES

Hepatitis B, as stated before, is caused by a virus. It is likely to spread through blood contact or through contact with any body fluids of the person who is infected. One is likely to get hepatitis B if

• One is involved sexually with an infected person and doesn’t take any protection.
• One shares needles with the infected person.
• One shares the personal items, such as tooth brushes or razors with the infected person.

If a pregnant lady has the hepatitis B virus in her, it would be transferred to the baby at the time of delivery. However, this can be prevented if proper diagnosis is done in the initial stages to avoid the virus from infecting the baby.

THE SYMPTOMS

People suffering from hepatitis B often fail to realize the presence of the disease in them. The symptoms might just occur as flu, without giving any scope to the individual to understand why it is happening. However, the symptoms are likely to include:

• Fatigue
• Fever (mild to moderate)
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the abdominal regions
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Skin rashes
• Joint pain and muscle aches
• Yellowish skin and eyes that seem like jaundice

DIAGNOSIS

Hepatitis B can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood sample test. A blood test is enough to detect the virus. If you have been vaccinated previously, you might not have chronic hepatitis B.

In some rare cases however, if the liver is extensively damaged, a liver biopsy might be recommended.

TREATMENT

Hepatitis B tends to settle down on its own without any medications. Some healthy life style practices can help you in getting rid of the disease. Eating health, taking rest, drinking water and giving up drugs and alcohol can simply help in giving some relief.

Some drugs and herbal products can aggravate the conditions further to cause liver damage, seek doctor’s advice and give up such medicines.

The damage caused to the liver would determine the steps to be taken for treating the condition and this would be determined by the doctor.

PREVENTION

Hepatitis B can be prevented by adopting some healthy lifestyle practices, apart from taking vaccine.

• Have safe sex, use a condom.
• Avoid sharing your needles.
• Use gloves before touching blood.

• Prefer not to share yoru person;a items like razors and toothbrushes with ohers.