Hepatitis is marked as the destruction of liver cells. It is also caused by the inflammatory cells in the liver. Diseases of the pancreas and gall bladder also cause hepatitis. Among all types of hepatitis, Hepatitis B is severe. Hepatitis B is characterized by the cirrhosis of liver and liver cancer. Inflammation in the liver occurs that further causes the liver to swell.

More than 1.5 million people are killed each year by viral hepatitis B. Researches has revealed that hepatitis B is 10 times more infectious than HIV or AIDS. This article tells you about the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of hepatitis B.

Types of Hepatitis B

Acute hepatitis B

It is a short-term disease that is caused by contact with the acute hepatitis B virus. Its appears at the beginning of exposure to the virus within 6 months. It is maybe severe or mild. For some people, it causes critical symptoms that need proper treatment.

Chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B is long-lasting as the body is exposed to the virus with a duration of more than 6 months. It is a severe form that is characterized by liver cirrhosis, inflammation, and swollen liver. Proper treatment can eliminate this disease. Treatment can also slow down the progress of this virus.

Causes

The cause of this disease is mainly the hepatitis B virus. This virus can be transmitted through blood so also called a blood-borne virus. In 90 percent of cases, infants got this disease while in adults, it is only 10 percent. The mortality rate is increasing day by day due to this virus.

HBV patients have silent symptoms and can be transmitted easily to other persons. Excessive alcohol consumption is also a cause of further damages to the liver cells. It can lead the way to liver cancer and liver cirrhosis.

Transmission

It is a blood-borne disease that states that it can be transmitted by blood transfusions. Through serum and body fluids it is mainly transmitted. If you work in the medical field, commonly, you may get infected through this virus. It can be transmitted sexually when contacted by an infected person.

HBV is commonly transmitted from mothers to children through breastfeeding and during pregnancies. This virus can induce premature labor. Through toothbrushes of the infected persons. The person getting kidney dialysis has exposure to the hepatitis B virus. Drug needles are the major cause of this virus transmission.

Symptoms

When a person got infected with hepatitis, you may not detect this often. In some people, it may show mild or even do not show its symptoms. While others whose immune systems do not fight against hepatitis B may develop chronic symptoms. Symptoms may not show at the start of the disease. They only feel sick and in pain for a few weeks. If their immune systems can fight against the virus, then they get rid of this virus within a few weeks to months.

Major symptoms include

Jaundice

Jaundice is caused by the immoderate accumulation of bilirubin in the liver. When the liver doesn’t perform its function due to abnormal and inflammatory cells, it leads to jaundice. It turns the eyes and the skin yellow.

Abdominal pain

Joint pain

Muscle pain and joint pain is a symptom in an acute type of hepatitis.

Fatigue

Fatigue and weakness is also a symptom of liver diseases. It causes frustration among people.

Fever
Dark-colored urine discharge.
Loss of appetite
Anorexia is the first symptom that appears after contact with hepatitis. It may remain for a short time before it is treated.
Low blood sugar level
Insomnia
Nausea, vomiting

How can Hepatitis B prevent?

Avoid contact with the virus had reduced the chances of hepatitis B. So, preventions can be achieved before or after the exposure to an infected person or virus.

Following measures can prevent HBV

Do not reuse the needles and syringes.
Before blood transfusions, the donor should screen himself for the hepatitis virus.
Do not use the toothbrush, razor, or any other tool of infected persons.
Avoid contact with the body fluid of an infected person.
Pregnant mothers should screen for HBV.

Can hepatitis be treated?

Hepatitis B can be treated. If doctors suspect this viral disease, then accurate blood tests and many other tests are available. The viral disease is generally not treated by antibiotics so, vaccines are used for them. HBV vaccine is available in the market. The vaccine is formed mainly by human body products.

It is recommended that children should get vaccines at an early age to prevent this. Travelers got major exposure to these viruses so, before their travel, they should get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B; their causes, symptoms, preventions, and treatments

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