A serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is called Hepatitis B. For some, the hepatitis B infection becomes chronic and lasts for more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis; This condition is permanent scarring of the liver.

Most adults with hepatitis B make a full recovery even though its signs and symptoms are severe. Babies and children are more likely to develop chronic (chronic) hepatitis B infection.

A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there is no cure if you have this condition. If you are infected, some precautions can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading to other people.

Types 

Acute and chronic are two types of hepatitis B infections

Acute

Acute infection occurs initially when you are first infected with hepatitis B. Most people can clear it from their bodies and recover. In fact, this is true of 4 out of 5 people who get the disease.

Chronic

If you have not cleared the infection in six months or more, you have chronic hepatitis B. (Chronic means chronic). It is chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to inflammation and serious and life-threatening cirrhosis diseases. Liver and liver cancer. Treatment slows the progression of the disease, reduces the chance of liver cancer, and increases your chances of survival.

Symptoms

Short-term (acute) hepatitis B infection does not always cause symptoms. For example, it is not uncommon for children under the age of 5 to develop symptoms if they become infected.

If you have symptoms, they may include:

• Jaundice (the whiteness of your skin or eyes turns yellow and your pea turns brown or orange).
• Light colored poop
• Fever
• Fatigue that lasts for weeks or months.
• Stomach problem such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain

Symptoms may not appear for 1 to 6 months after contracting the virus. You may not feel anything. One third of those with the disease. They only find out through a blood test.

Symptoms of chronic (chronic) hepatitis B infection do not always appear. If they do, it may seem like a short-term (serious) infection.

Causes

Hepatitis B is caused by an infection with the hepatitis B virus. You can get the virus if you have unprotected sex with an infected partner. People who use intravenous (IV) drugs can get hepatitis B when they share needles with people who have the virus.

 Healthcare workers (such as nurses, laboratory technicians, and doctors) can get hepatitis B if they accidentally get caught with a needle used on an infected patient. The infection can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth. If you go to parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, you are also more likely to get hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is not spread by casual contact. For example, you cannot get hepatitis B by hugging or shaking the hand of an infected person.

Risk factors

People at high risk for HBV:

• Babies of mothers with HBV
• Sex partners of people with HBV
• People who have sex without contraception and those who have multiple sexual partners
• Men who have sex with men
• People who inject illicit drugs
• Those who share a home with a person with a chronic HBV infection.
• Public health and safety workers at occupational risk from contaminated blood or body fluids
• People undergoing hemodialysis, which is a type of kidney treatment.
• People taking drugs that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy for cancer.
• People with HIV
• People from an area where HBV is high
• All women during pregnancy

Prevention

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in three or four shots every six months. You cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine.

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

• Newly born
• Children and adolescents are not vaccinated at birth
• Those who work or live in a facility for the developmentally disabled
• People who live with people with hepatitis B.
• Healthcare workers, emergency workers, and other people associated with blood
• Anyone with a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV.
• Men who have sex with men
• People who have multiple sexual partners.
• Sex partners of people with hepatitis B.
• People who inject illicit drugs or people who share needles and syringes
• People with chronic liver disease
• Those with end-stage kidney disease
• Travelers planning to travel to a part of the world with a high rate of hepatitis B infection

Diagnosis

The separation of hepatitis B from hepatitis caused by other viral agents is not clinically possible and therefore requires a laboratory diagnosis of the disease. There are several blood tests available to diagnose and monitor people with hepatitis B. They can be used to differentiate between acute and chronic infections.

Hepatitis B diagnosis focuses on the detection of the hepatitis B infection of surface antigen HBsAg. WHO recommends that all blood donations be tested for hepatitis B to ensure blood safety and prevent accidental infections in people who receive blood products.

Acute HBV infection involves HBsAg and the immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody against the core antigen, HBcAg. In the early stages of infection, patients can also be seropositive for hepatitis B antigen (HBG). HBeAg is usually a high-level replication marker of the virus. The presence of HBeAg in the blood and body fluids of an infected person indicates a high infection.

Chronic infection is characterized by persistence of HBsAg for at least 6 months (with or without joint HBeAg). The persistence of HBsAg is an important marker for the development of life after chronic liver disease and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Treatment

Hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin

If you think you've had hepatitis B in the past 24 hours, talk to your doctor right away. If you are not vaccinated, it is possible to prevent a reliable source of infection by injecting the hepatitis B vaccine and the HBV immune globulin. It is a solution of antibodies that act against HBV.

Treatment options for hepatitis B.

Acute hepatitis B generally does not require treatment. Most people get over a serious infection on their own. However, relaxation and hydration can help you recover.

Antiviral medications are used to treat chronic hepatitis B. These can help you fight the virus. They can also reduce the risk of liver problems in the future.

If hepatitis B seriously damages your liver, you may need a liver transplant. Liver transplantation means that the surgeon removes your liver and replaces it with a donor liver. Most donor livers come from deceased donors.

Complications

Most people with chronic hepatitis B don't feel sick or know they have it unless it is in its later stages, some have serious problems. Chronic hepatitis B can cause:

• Cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. This makes the liver work harder and eventually leads to liver failure.
• Liver cancer. If you have chronic hepatitis B, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound test to check for signs of liver cancer.
• For liver failure. This happens when your liver can no longer do its job. You may also hear it referred to as "end stage" liver disease. It occurs only in severe cases of chronic hepatitis B.
• Nephropathy Researchers have found that people with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B are more likely to develop certain types of kidney disease.
• Vascular problems These include inflammation of the blood vessels.

How is hepatitis B spread?

You can get hepatitis B from exposure to the blood, semen, and other body fluids of an infected person. You can get the infection through:

• Having unprotected sex.
• Sharing or using dirty needles for drug use, tattoos, or piercings.
• Sharing everyday items that contain bodily fluids, such as razors, toothbrushes, piercing jewelry, and nail clippers.
• A person who does not use clean instruments is receiving medical treatment.
• Someone with an infection was bitten.
• Birth of a pregnant woman with an infection.

Hepatitis B is not transmitted by:

• Kiss on the cheek or lips.
• Coughing or sneezing
• Hug, shake hands, or hold hands.
• Eating food prepared by someone with an infection.
• Breast-feeding.

How is Hepatitis B transmitted?

Hepatitis B is spread primarily by exposure to infected blood or body fluids. In infected people, the virus is found in blood, semen, vaginal discharge, breast milk, and saliva. Hepatitis B is not transmitted through food, water, or touch.

In the United States, sexual intercourse is the most common form of transmission, followed by the use of contaminated needles to inject illicit drugs, tattoos, body piercings, or acupuncture. Also, hepatitis B can be spread by sharing toothbrushes and razors that are contaminated with infected fluids or blood.

Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from infected mothers to their offspring at birth (known as "vertical" transmission). It is more common in areas of the world where rates of hepatitis B are high. The rate of transmission of hepatitis B from the mother to the newborn is very high and almost all infected babies develop chronic hepatitis B. Fortunately, transmission by immunoprophylaxis is significantly reduced (see below).

In rare cases, hepatitis B can be transmitted through transfused blood products, donated livers, and other organs. However, blood and organ donors are routinely screened for hepatitis, which generally prevents this type of transmission.

Vaccine

The HBV vaccine has been available since 1982.

People who should receive this vaccine:

All infants, children, and adolescents without prior vaccination

All healthcare workers

Those who have exposed blood and blood products through work or treatment.

Individuals Undergoing Dialysis and Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Corrections, half houses, and community residence residents and staff

Those who inject drugs

People who share a house or have sex with people with chronic HBV infection

Those with multiple sexual partners

People who travel to countries where HBV is common

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