overview
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, which means it lasts for more than six months. Chronic hepatitis B increases the risk of liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis – a disease that permanently scars the liver.
Most adults with hepatitis B make a full recovery, even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B.
A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there is no cure when you have it. If you are infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent the virus from spreading to others. Hepatitis B Treatment in Hyderabad
symptoms
The signs and symptoms of hepatitis B range from mild to severe. They usually appear around one to four months after infection, although you can see them as early as two weeks after infection. Some people, usually young children, may not have symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B can include:
- stomach pain
- Dark urine
- fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
The reasons
Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is transmitted from person to person through blood, semen, or other body fluids. It is not spread by sneezing or coughing.
Common ways of spreading HBV are:
- Sexual contact. You can get hepatitis B after having unprotected sex with someone who is infected. The virus can be passed on to you if the person’s blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids get into your body.
- Share needles. HBV can be easily spread through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV medication sets puts you at high risk of hepatitis B.
- Accidental needle pricks. Hepatitis B is a concern to healthcare workers and anyone else who comes into contact with human blood. Hepatitis B Treatment in Hyderabad
Risk factors
Hepatitis B is spread through contact with the blood, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person. Your risk of getting hepatitis B infection increases if you:
- Unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone infected with HBV
- Sharing needles during intravenous drug use
- Are a man who has sex with other men
- Live with someone who has chronic HBV infection
- Are a child born to an infected mother
- Do you have a job that exposes you to human blood
preventions
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as three or four injections over six months. You cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:
- Newborn
- Children and adolescents who were not vaccinated at birth
- Those who work or live in a center for people with intellectual disabilities
- People who live with someone who has hepatitis B.
- Health workers, rescue workers, and others who come into contact with blood
- Anyone who has a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV
- Men who have sex with men
- People who have multiple sexual partners
- Sexual partner of a person with hepatitis B.
- People who inject illegal drugs or share needles and syringes
- People with chronic liver disease.