Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by HBV. It is most acute and lasts less than six months. However, the infection may become chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis, a condition that permanently scars the liver.
Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully, even if their symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop a long-lasting hepatitis B infection. This is known as a chronic infection. (Source)
Causes
Its infection is caused by HBV. The virus is passed from person to person through body fluids, and not by coughs, and sneezes.
Common ways that HBV can spread are:
- Sexual contact.
- Sharing of needles.
- Accidental needle sticks.
- Mother to child.
This infection may be short-lived, also called acute. Or it might last a long time, also known as chronic.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B range from mild to severe. They usually appear about 1 to 4 months after you’ve been infected, although you could see them as early as two weeks after you’re infected. Some people, usually young children, may not have any symptoms.
It’s signs and symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes also called jaundice.
Facts
Acute Hepatitis
Acute hepatitis B infection lasts less than six months. Your immune system likely can clear acute hepatitis B from your body, and you should recover completely within a few months. Most people who get hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection, but it can lead to chronic infection.
Chronic Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis B infection lasts six months or longer. It lingers because your immune system can’t fight off the infection. Chronic hepatitis B infection may last a lifetime, possibly leading to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Some people with chronic hepatitis B may have no symptoms at all. Some may have ongoing fatigue and mild symptoms of acute hepatitis.
Risk factors
It spreads through contact with blood, semen, or other body fluids from an infected person. Your risk of hepatitis B infection increases if you:
- Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or with someone who’s infected with HBV
- Share needles during IV drug use
- Are a man who has sex with other men
- Live with someone who has a chronic HBV infection
- Are an infant born to an infected mother
- Have a job that exposes you to human blood
- Travel to regions with high infection rates of HBV, such as Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Eastern Europe
Treatment
There is no such treatment for Hepatitis, yet there are vaccines for its prevention. They are given as early as a baby is born. However, a patient is given some injections and medicines.
Prevention
The hepatitis vaccine is typically given as two injections separated by a month or three or four injections over six months, depending on which vaccine is given. You can’t get hepatitis B from the vaccine.
- Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in bottled water and peel them yourself. Avoid pre-cut fruit and vegetables.
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat and fish.
- Drink bottled water and use it when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid all beverages of unknown purity. The same goes for ice.
- If bottled water isn’t available, boil tap water before drinking it or using it to make ice.
- Thoroughly wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before preparing food or eating.
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