Hepatitis B – What Is Hepatitis B?

Inflammation and detriment of the liver can be caused by the Hepatitis B virus. When tissues of the body become hurt or contaminated, swelling of the area can occur, which is known as inflammation. Inflammation can damage organs.

Viruses invade normal cells in your body. Various viruses can transmit illnesses which may be passed on between individuals. The hepatitis B virus is able to be passed on from person to person through the exchange of their blood, semen, or other bodily fluids.

You can protect yourself from hepatitis B by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. If you are affected by hepatitis B, it is possible to take precautions to stop the virus from being passed on to other people.

Hepatitis B can lead to either a short-term or a long-term contamination.

Acute hepatitis B

Acute hepatitis B is a short-term infection. Some people have symptoms, which may last several weeks. In some cases, symptoms last up to 6 months. Occasionally, the body can successfully battle the virus and it will disappear. If the body’s immune system is not able to resist the virus, the virus will not disappear, leading to a long-term condition known as hepatitis B.

The majority of healthy adults and kids who are 5 years and older that have hepatitis B are able to recover and not suffer from a chronic hepatitis B infection.

Chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B is a long-lasting infection. If you contracted hepatitis B at an early age, there is a higher probability that you may have longterm problems with it. Roughly 90 percent of newborns who contract hepatitis B end up having a long-term infection. Roughly one quarter to half of toddlers and very young children who contract the illness remain with it for an extended period. In contrast, only a small fraction of individuals infected as adults (5%) become chronically ill with hepatitis B.

Who is more likely to get hepatitis B?

A person is more prone to contract hepatitis B if their mother has the virus. A mother can pass on the virus to her child at the time of birth. The likelihood of people having hepatitis B increases if they

• were born in a part of the world where 2 percent or more of the population has hepatitis B infection
• were born in the United States, didn’t receive the hepatitis B vaccine as an infant, and have parents who were born in an area where 8 percent or more of the population had hepatitis B infection

It is more probable that one has hepatitis B if they are among the population.

In America, hepatitis B is spread among adults mainly due to contact with contaminated blood on the skin, such as by way of intravenous drug use, as well as through intimate contact.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

Many people infected with hepatitis B have no symptoms.

Some individuals with severe hepatitis B can begin to exhibit signs 2 to 5 months after contracting the virus. 6 These symptoms may include

Typically, acute hepatitis B does not present signs and symptoms in infants and kids under the age of 5. People of mature age and above are more likely to display symptoms than younger individuals.

If you have been infected with chronic hepatitis B, it can take upwards of decades for any symptoms to occur, as complications tend to arise first. It is crucial to be tested for hepatitis B, even if you have no indications of the virus.

What causes hepatitis B?

The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through physical contact with infected individuals’ blood, seminal fluid, or other secretions. Contact can occur by

• being born to a mother with hepatitis B
• having unprotected sex with an infected person
• sharing drug needles or other drug materials with an infected person
• getting an accidental stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
• being tattooed or pierced with tools that were used on an infected person and weren’t properly sterilized, or cleaned in a way that destroys all viruses and other microbes
• having contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
• using an infected person’s razor, toothbrush, or nail clippers

You can’t get hepatitis B from

• being coughed on or sneezed on by an infected person
• drinking unclean water or untreated water that has not been boiled
• eating food that is unclean or has not been properly cooked
• hugging an infected person
• shaking hands or holding hands with an infected person
• sharing spoons, forks, and other eating utensils
• sitting next to an infected person

Women who have been diagnosed with hepatitis B can securely nurse their infants. If a baby is administered with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and begins taking the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after its birth, the risk of hepatitis B transmission from a mother to infant through breastfeeding is quite low.

Should I be screened for hepatitis B?

Testing for a disease in people who are symptom-free is referred to as screening. Doctors use blood tests to screen for hepatitis B. Lots of folks with hepatitis B don’t display signs of it and aren’t aware they are afflicted with the virus. Examinations can facilitate doctors in identifying and administering treatment for hepatitis B, which will improve your prospects of staying clear of serious medical issues.

Your doctor may suggest testing for hepatitis B if you are nine or fourteen years old.

• are pregnant
• were born in an area of the world where 2 percent or more of the population has hepatitis B infection, which includes Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South America
• didn’t receive the hepatitis B vaccine as an infant and have parents who were born in an area where 8 percent or more of the population had hepatitis B infection, which includes sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia
• are HIV-positive
• have injected drugs
• are a man who has sex with men
• have lived with or had sex with a person who has hepatitis B
• have an increased chance of infection due to other factors

How do doctors treat hepatitis B?

Medical personnel usually do not intervene with hepatitis B unless it becomes a long-term problem. Physicians can manage long-term hepatitis B by utilizing antiviral drugs that target the virus.

Not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. If a blood test reveals that hepatitis B could be harming a person’s liver, then it is likely that a doctor will prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the possibility of liver harm and associated issues.

Medicines that you take by mouth include

Physicians can administer peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) as an injection.

The length of treatment varies. Hepatitis B medicines may cause side effects. Discuss the potential adverse effects of the treatment with your physician. Inform your physician prior to taking any other prescription or non-prescription medications.

It is essential to consult your doctor prior to taking any dietary supplements, such as vitamins, as well as any complementary or alternative medicines or treatments for precautionary purposes.

Symptoms

Does acute (short-term) hepatitis B cause symptoms?

Sometimes. For the majority of kids under the age of 5 and individuals with significant health conditions such as weakened immune systems, there are no signs and symptoms. Around 50 percent of people aged over ten years old, from adolescents to adults, have symptoms associated with acute hepatitis B.

What are the symptoms of acute (short-term) hepatitis B?

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Joint pain
• Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or the eyes)

How soon after exposure to the hepatitis B virus will symptoms appear, and how long do they last?

If a person is infected with the virus, it can take 8 weeks to 5 months for symptoms to appear. The average amount of time before this happens is 90 days (or 3 months). The illness normally persists for a few weeks, though in some instances it can span as long as half a year.

Can a person spread hepatitis B without having symptoms?

Yes. Lots of folks with hepatitis B do not show any signs, but they are still capable of transferring the virus to someone else.

What are the symptoms of chronic (long-term) hepatitis B?

Most people infected with hepatitis B never experience any associated symptoms and can stay symptom-free for many years. Should any symptoms present themselves, they will be comparable to the signs of a fresh infection, but might be a telltale of advanced liver damage. Roughly 25% of those infected with a chronic illness as children, and 15% of those who acquire a chronic infection as adults, will end up dying from serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis or cancer. Certain blood tests might reveal certain anomalies even when certain individuals don’t display symptoms, even though their liver is not functioning properly.

How serious is chronic (long-term) hepatitis B?

Chronic hepatitis B can be a severe ailment with adverse effects in the future, including wounds to the liver, liver collapse, cancers of the liver, and in extreme cases, fatality. In 2018, it was reported to the CDC that 1,649 deaths were caused by hepatitis B virus, though the actual figure is thought to be higher.

Prevention through Vaccination

Can hepatitis B be prevented?

Yes. The most effective way to defend against hepatitis B is to receive the vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. In order to be totally safeguarded, you must receive all vaccinations within the program.

Who should get vaccinated against hepatitis B?

The ?Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the following people should receive hepatitis B vaccination:

The following groups may receive hepatitis B vaccination:

• Adults aged 60 years and older without known risk factors for hepatitis B

Risk factors for hepatitis B

• People at risk for infection by sexual exposure
  • People whose sex partners have hepatitis B
  • Sexually active people who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship (for example, people with more than one sex partner in the past 6 months)
  • People seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted infection
  • Men who have sex with men
• People at risk for infection by exposure to blood
  • People who inject drugs
  • People who live with someone who has hepatitis B
  • People who live or work in facilities for people with developmental disabilities
  • Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job
  • People who receive dialysis
  • People with diabetes should ask their health care professional
• Others:
  • International travelers to countries where hepatitis B is common
  • People with hepatitis C virus infection
  • People with chronic liver disease
  • People with HIV infection
  • People who are in jail or prison

Is the hepatitis B vaccine recommended before international travel?

It is suggested that everyone from birth to 59 years of age receive the Hepatitis B vaccination, regardless of where they have been. Individuals 60 years of age and over are encouraged to get the hepatitis B vaccine prior to going to nations where hepatitis B is pervasive.

Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?

Yes. The hepatitis B shot is secure and the most typical reaction experienced is discomfort around the area of the injection. Like with any other medical treatment, there is the slight possibility of a serious complication ensuing after being vaccinated. The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit CDC’s vaccine safety site.

Can I get hepatitis B from being vaccinated?

The hepatitis B vaccine does not consist of any active virus and is not able to lead to hepatitis B.

Is it harmful to have an extra dose of hepatitis B vaccine or to repeat the entire hepatitis B vaccine series?

It would not be detrimental to receive additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine.

What should be done if hepatitis B vaccine series was not completed?

If the course of hepatitis B vaccinations is stopped, the next dosage should be taken as soon as possible. The first dose(s) does not need to be repeated.

Who should not receive the hepatitis B vaccine?

If an individual has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of a hepatitis B vaccine, its component, or yeast, they should not be administered the hepatitis B vaccine.

What is a booster dose, and do I need one?

An additional portion of vaccine is known as a “booster” dose which can boost or prolong the potency of the vaccine. Most people with a good immune system don’t need a follow-up shot, but you can receive a blood test to determine if a booster shot is necessary.

Is there a vaccine that will protect me from both hepatitis A and hepatitis B?

Yes, there exists a vaccine which is authorized for adults that provides immunity against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The vaccine for both hepatitis A and B is typically distributed in 3 doses during a span of 6 months.

Can I get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

Yes. Having both inoculations simultaneously is not negative.

Where can I get the hepatitis B vaccine?

Consult your doctor or local health department about getting immunized. Some clinics offer free or low-cost hepatitis B vaccines.