Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that primarily affects the liver. It can lead to both acute and chronic liver disease, posing a significant global health threat. As per the WHO, over 296 million people live with chronic Hepatitis B worldwide, making it a leading cause of liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

HBV is transmitted through blood, semen, or other body fluids. It can survive outside the body for at least 7 days and still be infectious.

• Acute Hepatitis B: A short-term illness that occurs within 6 months of infection.
• Chronic Hepatitis B: A long-term infection that can lead to serious complications.

The virus spreads when HBV enters the bloodstream. Common transmission routes include:

• Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
• Sharing needles or syringes during drug use or unsafe medical procedures.
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.
• Contaminated blood transfusions (rare with modern screening).
• Contact with open wounds exposed to infected fluids.

Note: Hepatitis B is not spread by casual contact such as hugging or sharing food.

Symptoms may not appear in early stages. When present, they may include:

• Fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
• Dark urine and clay-colored stool
• Joint pain and jaundice

Chronic cases may show persistent fatigue, liver enlargement, mental confusion, or easy bruising.

Hepatitis B is diagnosed using specific blood tests:

• HBsAg – confirms current infection
• Anti-HBs – indicates recovery or immunity
• Anti-HBc – indicates previous or current infection
• HBV DNA – measures viral load

Additional tests may include liver function tests, ultrasounds, and liver biopsies.

Screening is crucial for high-risk individuals like healthcare workers, pregnant women, and people with multiple sexual partners.

1. Acute Hepatitis B: Often resolves without treatment. Supportive care and regular monitoring are essential.

2. Chronic Hepatitis B: Requires long-term antiviral therapy to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage.

• Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
• Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)
• Entecavir
• Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (select cases)

Ongoing checkups are important to monitor liver function and response to treatment.

Untreated chronic Hepatitis B can result in:

• Liver Cirrhosis: Permanent scarring of the liver tissue
• Liver Failure: Severe dysfunction that may require a transplant
• Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma): HBV is a leading cause worldwide
• Death: Increased risk due to long-term liver complications

1. Vaccination: Safe and 95% effective.

• All newborns and children
• Healthcare professionals
• High-risk adults
• Travelers to HBV-endemic regions

2. Safe Practices:

• Avoid sharing needles or razors
• Practice safe sex (use condoms)
• Use screened blood and sterilized medical tools
• Screen pregnant women for early intervention

• Hepatitis B is a serious yet preventable liver infection.
• It spreads through infected blood and body fluids.
• Vaccination is the best protection.
• Chronic cases can lead to liver failure or cancer.
• Regular screening and early treatment save lives.