what is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis-B is a viral infection that attacks and causes liver inflammation. The hepatitis B virus, which belongs to the family of Hepadnaviridae, causes it.

The word Hepadnaviridae entails that it’s a kind of virus that affects the liver. Hence, researchers derived the name Hepatitis B from three affixes: ‘HEPA’ (from the liver), ‘DNA’ (referring to its DNA structure), and ‘viridae’ (indicating that it is a viral disease).

Causes and mode of transmitting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B.

Sharing sharp objects, such as razor blades, needles, and other items that can pierce or cut the human body during use or by accident, can transmit Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B can also be transmitted or contracted through contact with the body fluids of an unvaccinated person. Examples; saliva, during kissing, during sexual intercourse

The hepatitis B virus can remain viable outside the body for up to 7 days, so it can still cause infection if it enters the body of an unvaccinated person. The incubation period for hepatitis B typically ranges from 30 to 180 days. The virus may be detectable 30 to 60 days after infection and has the potential to persist. consequently, leading to chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child during birth through exposure to infected blood.

The life cycle of hepatitis B.

Let’s explore the life cycle of hepatitis B, This is how the hepatitis-B-virus attacks the liver cells and makes more viruses by copying and changing its instructions. It can make you very sick, especially if it doesn’t go away after a long time.

          First stage (Attachment and Entry)

The virus, usually through blood or saliva, tries to sneak into your body. It searches for a special spot on liver cells (like a key fitting into a lock) and attaches there to enter the cell.

Second stage, (Uncoating and Transport).

Once inside, the virus opens up, like taking off its coat, and releases its instructions (DNA) to make more viruses.

These instructions go to the cell’s control center (the nucleus).

Third stage, (Transcription).

Inside the nucleus, the instructions are copied to create a special message (RNA) that directs the cell on how to build more viruses.

Translation:

The message (RNA) goes out into the cell’s “factory” to build virus parts. These parts are like the body parts of a new virus.

Replication:

The virus has a trick! It turns its message (RNA) back into instructions (DNA) so it can make more viruses.

This happens in the cell’s factory.

Assembly:

All the virus parts are put together, like assembling a new toy, to make new complete viruses.

Budding and Release:

The new viruses leave the liver cell by poking out, like little bubbles, and float into the blood to infect more liver cells.

Spread to Other Cells:

The new viruses infect more liver cells, and the cycle continues, causing trouble in the liver.

If this keeps happening for a long time, it can make your liver sick, and cause serious problems like scarring or even cancer.       

Symptoms

Symptoms of hepatitis B may include the following;

Stomach pain

Muscle and joint pain

Loss of appetite

Liver failure

Other symptoms of hepatitis B may include;

The yellow of the skin and eyes

Vomiting, and or

Bloated stomach

In contrast, it often show no symptoms in the early stages.

Vaccine for Hepatitis B

Getting hepatitis B vaccination is very crucial to everyone even right after birth. The vaccines have reduced short-term or acute hepatitis B in the United States. Long-term or chronic infection can cause serious liver damage and even lead to death, However, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the rate of liver damage by the virus.

There are currently 7 (seven) hepatitis B vaccines available in the United States, those include both hepatitis B ‘ONLY’ vaccines and the ‘COMBINED’ vaccine.

Hepatitis B-only vaccines;

• Engerix-B: Firstly, This vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis B.
• Heplisav-B: In addition, this vaccine protects adults from hepatitis B.
• PreHevbrio: Similarly, this vaccine protects adults from hepatitis B.
• Recombivax HB: Finally, this vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis B.

Combination vaccines:                                                                                      

• Pediarix: This vaccine protects infants and young children from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and polio.
• Vaxelis: Similarly, this vaccine protects infants and young children from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib disease, and hepatitis B.
• Twinrix: In contrast, this vaccine protects adults from hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Diagnosis.

Hepatitis B diagnosis refers to a laboratory examination conducted on an individual to determine whether they have contracted hepatitis B. Nevertheless, your doctor or health care professional will look for symptoms through physical examinations and perform other laboratory tests to detect if there is liver damage and/or to what extent it has caused the damage.

Tests for hepatitis B diagnosis are;

• Blood test. Blood contains the most important information about your health, metabolism, chemical balance, organ function, and other substances in your body. Hence it can be used to detect whether someone is hepatitis positive or negative, and also to determine if the infection is acute or chronic.
• Liver biopsy. This is when your doctor or health professional inserts a thin needle through your skin to your liver to collect tissue for examination.
• Liver ultrasound. this is a non-invasive imaging test, that uses sound waves to create pictures of your liver, It helps doctors assess the size, shape, and structure of the liver, detect any damage or abnormalities, and evaluate conditions such as liver disease, cirrhosis, or tumors. perhaps, The procedure is painless and typically involves applying a gel to the skin over the liver area, followed by using a small device called a transducer to capture the images.
• Healthy people screening. This is when people without any symptoms of hepatitis B are screened to discover if they have been exposed to hepatitis B. This is done because some people might not feel any symptoms of hepatitis B until it damages their liver.

Treatments

A Hepatitis B diagnosis will tell your health professional whether the hepatitis B virus has infected you and whether the infection is acute or chronic.

Treatment for acute hepatitis B infection.

Acute means short. This tells that this form of hepatitis B infection disappears by itself within a short period. That is to say, Your body’s immune system will fight the infection and is expected to go on or before six (6) months.

1. Maintain healthy nutrition
2. take adequate fluid.
3. Proper rest
4. Constant check-up.

Treatments for chronic hepatitis B infection.

Treating chronic hepatitis B infection is necessary especially if the patient’s immune system is week, is the person has HIV and or if the infection is causing more damage to the liver.

 Anti-viral drugs:

Those include;

• entecavir (Baraclude),
• tenofovir (Viread)
• lamivudine (Epivir) and
• adefovir (Hepsera).

These drugs help inhibit the virus and prevent further damage to the liver. They are taken by mouth, and sometimes doctors may recommend combining two of these drugs

Interferon shots. . This group of medicines is lab-made which the body makes to fight infections.

They are used for hepatitis B patients who do not want long-term treatment, as well as for women who may want to get pregnant in a few years.

Interferon has a higher rate of side effects which may include; vomiting stomach upset, difficulty in breathing, and depression.

Liver transplant. When the liver is severely damaged, a liver transplant becomes the final option; therefore, it is essential to monitor liver health regularly. Here the doctor removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a good one through surgical operation.

Drugs For Hepatitis B

Oral antivirals

Prevensions

There are ways to prevent hepatitis B and avoid its spread.

Those measures include both vaccines and other pre-cautious measures.

Since mother can transmit hepatitis B to a child, it is recommended that every child will be vaccinated within 24 hours after birth. Furthermore, the hepatitis B vaccine can protect you for at least 20 years, sometimes for life. For more info.

These are ways to prevent hepatitis B viral infection.

• Firstly, take the hepatitis B vaccine.
• Secondly, wash your hands with soap and clean water after exposure to body fluids, blood, and public surfaces.
• Additionally, avoid having many sex partners.
• always Use protection during sex to reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting hepatitis B.
• Lastly, avoid sharing needles or sharp objects used for piercing, tattooing or injecting drugs.

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