Overview
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term).
Hepatitis B can cause a chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
It can spread through contact with infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby.
Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. The vaccine is usually given soon after birth with boosters a few weeks later. It offers nearly 100% protection against the virus.
Symptoms
Most people do not experience any symptoms when newly infected.
Some people have acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks. The symptoms include:
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- dark urine
- feeling very tired
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain in the abdomen
When severe, acute hepatitis can lead to liver failure, which can lead to death.
Although most people will recover from acute illness, some people with chronic hepatitis B will develop progressive liver disease and complications like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). These diseases can be fatal.
Treatments
There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with medicines.
Medical treatments
Care for acute hepatitis B should focus on making the person comfortable. They should eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea.
Chronic hepatitis B infection can be treated with oral antiviral medicines, including tenofovir or entecavir.
Treatment can slow the advance of cirrhosis, reduce cases of liver cancer, and improve long term survival.
Most people who start hepatitis B treatment must continue it for life.
Author: LifeCare (Dr. Zaheer)
I am a doctor specializing in Internal Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases. I am also a doctor who regularly educates the public.
