Liver Transplant surgeon taking hepatitis b blood sample test

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a fatal liver disease. There are vaccines available in the market that are effective against the disease. However, due to its impact on the quality of life, preventing this disease is our best bet.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?

In the initial stages, symptoms are not noticeable. However, people can sometimes suffer from acute illness with symptoms that last for weeks. These symptoms include yellowing the eyes and skin (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. A jaundice treatment is necessary when you experience these symptoms

People who have acute hepatitis can get a liver failure, which is fatal. The long-term effect of hepatitis B is cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which causes high morbidity and is fatal.

We have also reported that 1% of the populace living with HBV contract HIV. Similarly, 7.4% of the total public living with HIV also contract HBV.

How is the virus transmitted?

Hepatitis is transferred from mother to child or even horizontally transmitted from one infected child to another during the first five years of age. Needle-stick injury, tattooing, body piercing, and exposure to blood or other body fluids are a few different causes that transmit the virus.

Treatment:

There has been no specific Jaundice treatment or Liver Treatment to treat hepatitis B yet. It becomes vital to replenish body fluids and maintain balance in the nutrients needed for the body. Once diagnosed, it is advisable to avoid paracetamol or acetaminophen to prevent further complications.

Chronic hepatitis B treatment involves oral medicines, including antiviral agents. These medications can slow down the progress of cirrhosis, reduce the probability of liver cancer and reduce the chances of fatality.

WHO recommends using an oral treatment involving highly potent drugs to suppress the HBV virus. But, once you begin the treatment, you must continue it for the rest of your life.

How to prevent hepatitis B?

The best way to prevent the virus from transmitting is by getting the child vaccinated within 24 hours of birth, followed by 2 or 3 doses of the vaccine every four weeks. The vaccines protect children for a minimum of 20 years of life. WHO prescribes no specific booster shots after the three doses.

WHO also recommends childhood dosages that use antiviral prophylaxis to prevent the virus from transmitting to the child from the mother.

Contact Us:

Hepatitis B is a severe condition and requires immediate medical help.

Contact the Chennai Liver Foundation to get yourself, or anybody known to you, treated for Hepatitis B and protect yourself with the best-in-class liver transplant hospital.