Juliet Cohen

Hepatitis B - A Deadly Killer

Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus, which can be sexually transmitted. Additionally, open skin lesions, such as those because of impetigo, scabies, or scratched insect bites, can play a role in HBV transmission if direct exposure to wound exudates from HBV-infected persons occurs.

Hepatitis B is a viral disease that attacks the liver and can cause both sharp and chronic disease. Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The liver can become inflamed as a cause of infection, a disorder of the immune system, or exposure to alcohol, certain drugs, toxins, or poisons.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B may involve fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and abdominal pain, followed within some days by jaundice. HBV can also reason a chronic liver infection that can later grow into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Worldwide, an estimated two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In the United States, hepatitis B is largely a disease of young adults aged 20-50 years. The risk of HBV infection for international travelers is generally low, except for certain travelers in countries wherever the prevalence of chronic HBV infection is high or intermediate.

Treatment for Hepatitis B

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with drugs, including interferon and anti-viral agents, which can help some patients. Other treatment options for chronic hepatitis B include nucleoside analogues. You can also protect yourself and others from hepatitis B if you. Use a condom when you have sex. Wear gloves if you have to touch anyone’s blood. Don’t use an infected person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it

Hepatitis B to Pregnant Women

All pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B. Testing is mainly significant for women who fall into high-risk groups such as health care workers, women from ethnic communities where hepatitis B is common, spouses or partners living with an infected person, etc. If you test positive for hepatitis B and are pregnant, the virus can be passed on to your newborn baby during delivery. Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted from mother to child in utero. The sequela of infection in children can be phenomenal. If the proper procedures are not followed, your baby has a 95% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B.

Article Tags: Chronic Hepatitis

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