A viral infection of the liver, hepatitis B can lead to serious complications. As one of the most common liver diseases in the world, it affects about 250 million people. We will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B in this blog post.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids. Some of the common ways that HBV can spread are:
Sexual contact: You can get hepatitis B if you have unprotected sex with someone who has the infection. The virus can enter your body through blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions.
Sharing needles: You can get hepatitis B if you share needles or syringes with someone who has the infection. This can happen if you inject drugs, get tattoos or piercings, or receive medical procedures with contaminated equipment.
Accidental needle sticks: You can get hepatitis B if you are exposed to infected blood through a needle stick injury. This can happen if you work in a health care setting or handle human blood.
Mother to child: You can get hepatitis B if you are born to a mother who has the infection. The virus can pass from the mother to the baby during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Acute hepatitis B is a short-term infection that lasts less than six months. Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term infection that lasts more than six months and can cause liver damage.
The symptoms of acute hepatitis B may include:
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Fever
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
However, many people with acute hepatitis B do not have any symptoms at all. They may not know they are infected until they develop chronic hepatitis B or transmit the virus to others.
The symptoms of chronic hepatitis B may include:
Abdominal swelling
Bleeding or bruising easily
Confusion or memory problems
Itchy skin
Spider-like blood vessels on the skin
Weight loss
Many people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms at all and may not be aware that their livers are damaged until they develop complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
There are several types of blood tests that can show if you have an acute or chronic infection, how active the virus is in your body, and how much damage it has caused to your liver.
Some of the common blood tests for hepatitis B are:
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): This test detects a protein on the surface of the virus. A positive result means you have an active infection and can spread the virus to others.
Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb): This test detects an antibody that your body makes after clearing the virus or getting vaccinated. A positive result means you are immune to the virus and cannot get infected again.
Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb): This test detects an antibody that your body makes after being exposed to the virus. A positive result means you have had an infection in the past or have a chronic infection now.
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg): This test detects another protein on the surface of the virus. A positive result means you have a high level of virus in your blood and are more likely to infect others.
Hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb): This test detects an antibody that your body makes after suppressing the virus. A positive result means you have a low level of virus in your blood and are less likely to infect others.
Hepatitis B viral load (HBV DNA): This test measures the amount of virus in your blood. A high result means you have a lot of virus in your body and need treatment.
Liver function tests (LFTs): These tests measure how well your liver is working by checking the levels of enzymes, proteins and bilirubin in your blood. Abnormal results may indicate liver damage or inflammation.
The majority of people recover from acute hepatitis B infection on their own within six months. However, some people may need supportive care, such as fluids, painkillers, and rest.
Hepatitis B requires lifelong monitoring and treatment to reduce the amount of virus in your body, prevent liver damage, and lower the risk of complications.
As a result of chronic hepatitis B, the main treatment is antiviral medication, which works by stopping the virus from multiplying in your liver cells, improving your liver function, reducing inflammation, and reducing your chances of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Some of the common antiviral drugs for hepatitis B are:
Entecavir (Baraclude)
Tenofovir (Viread)
Lamivudine (Epivir)
Adefovir (Hepsera)
Telbivudine (Tyzeka)
The virus may return or become resistant to these drugs if you stop taking them without consulting your doctor.
Interferon therapy may also benefit some people with chronic hepatitis B. It helps boost your immune system and clear your body of the virus. Interferon is a protein that your body produces to fight infections. Although interferon therapy has a higher side effect rate than antiviral drugs, it isn't suitable for everyone.
Some of the common side effects of interferon therapy are:
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and muscle aches
Depression, anxiety or mood changes
Hair loss
Low blood counts
Thyroid problems
Interferon therapy is usually given as an injection under the skin once a week for six months to a year.
People with chronic hepatitis B may need a liver transplant. If you have severe liver failure or liver cancer that cannot be treated with medication or surgery, a liver transplant may be an option. It is a procedure that replaces your damaged liver with a healthy one from a donor.
Despite this, a liver transplant is not a cure for hepatitis B. The virus can still infect the new liver and cause problems. You'll need to take antiviral medications and immunosuppressants (drugs to keep your body from rejecting the new liver) for the rest of your life.
Hepatitis B can be prevented by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine consists of three or four shots given over six months. This vaccine protects you from getting infected with the virus and developing chronic hepatitis B.
Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for all children as soon as possible after birth, as well as for adults at high risk of exposure, including:
Health care workers or other people who handle human blood or body fluids
People who inject drugs or share needles or syringes
People who have multiple sexual partners or sexually transmitted infections
People who travel to areas where hepatitis B is common
People who have chronic liver disease or HIV infection
People who live with someone who has hepatitis B
If you are not sure if you have been vaccinated or need a booster shot, talk to your doctor.
Another way to prevent hepatitis B is to avoid contact with infected blood or body fluids. Some of the precautions you can take are:
Use condoms during sex
Do not share needles, syringes, razors, toothbrushes or other personal items that may have blood on them
Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling blood or body fluids
Dispose of used needles and syringes safely in a sharps container
Clean any blood spills with bleach and water
Cover any cuts or wounds with a bandage
Getting a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) may help prevent infection if you are exposed to the virus within 24 hours of exposure if you think you have been exposed to it. If given within 24 hours of exposure, HBIG can help prevent infection.
Depending on your risk factors and the results of your tests, you may also need to take antiviral drugs to prevent chronic infection.
The outlook for hepatitis B depends on whether you have an acute or chronic infection and how well you respond to treatment.
It is most common for people with acute hepatitis B to recover completely within six months and do not have any long-term complications. However, some people may develop chronic hepatitis B, which can cause serious liver damage over time.
Those with chronic hepatitis B need regular monitoring and treatment in order to control the infection and prevent complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Chronic hepatitis B can be fatal in some cases. Some people do not respond well to treatment or develop severe complications that require liver transplants.
To improve your chances of surviving hepatitis B, get vaccinated, avoid exposure to the virus, and seek medical attention if you believe you are infected. Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your health and quality of life.
