Hepatitis B
On this page, you will find what you are looking for regarding Hepatitis B.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, which affects the liver and can lead to several health problems. This infection impacts the liver, and the severity of the disease ranges from mild to severe or chronic. The disease can progress and cause serious complications, including liver cancer.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
- The incubation period for the virus is usually between one and six months, and it can often be identified within a month or two after infection. In most cases, symptoms may not appear at the onset of infection. Symptoms include:.
- Severefatigue..
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Dark urine.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
- Fever.
Joint pain.
The virus may persist for several weeks and can become chronic.
What are the causes of Hepatitis B infection?
Hepatitis B infection results from the hepatitis B virus. However, there are risk factors that may cause infection with hepatitis B:
HIV infection, as some people with hepatitisB may also be infected with HIV.
- Not receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.
- Newborns, if the mother is infected.
- Drug use, especially through injection.
- Patients undergoingkidney dialysis..
What are the methods for diagnosing Hepatitis B?
The doctor takes the medical history and performs a clinical examination, and may request additional procedures as needed, such as:
- Laboratory blood tests.
What are the treatment methods for Hepatitis B?
Treatment is administered through various measures or as required and may include:
Replenishing fluids and nutrientsand alleviating symptoms by:
- Taking antiviral medications that can limit the progression of the disease and reduce complications.
How to prevent Hepatitis B?
- Completing hepatitis B vaccination doses.
- Not sharing needles and sharp instruments with others or reusing them (such as insulin needles, shaving tools, or even surgical tools in hospitals).
What are the complications of Hepatitis B?
Complications often appear in people with chronic Hepatitis B infection, including:
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Liver cancer.
- Acute liver failure.
- Chronic liver inflammation, especially in children.
- Infection with Hepatitis D.
When should you consult a doctor?
- If you experience symptoms of Hepatitis B.
- If you are exposed to any means of virus transmission from an infected person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are unvaccinated infants at risk for Hepatitis B?
Yes, most unvaccinated infants are at risk for chronic Hepatitis B.
How long does the Hepatitis B virus survive outside the body?
The virus can survive outside the body (on surfaces) for up to seven days and still cause infection..
What are the transmission methods of Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is transmitted through exposure to the bodily fluids or blood of an infected person, even in very small quantities. Methods of transmission include:
- Direct contact with an infected person (sexual contact).
- From an infected mother to her newborn.
- Reusing needles or sharp instruments.
- Handling open wounds of an infected person.
- Sharing needles or contaminated sharp tools with others, like insulin needles.
- Sharing personal or grooming tools.
- Injuries from sharp and surgical tools, especially common in hospitals with weak infection control programs.
