Hepatitis B: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors, Treatment & Prevention

 

Five viruses can infect your liver and cause inflammation, hepatitis B being one of them. It is spread by body fluids. Most individuals only have an acute, transient infection. However, it develops chronically for certain people. Your liver may suffer severe, long-term damage from a persistent infection. There is no known cure for hepatitis B, however, it can be prevented with a vaccine.
The medical term for inflammation (swelling) of the liver is hepatitis. Inflammation of the liver brought on by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is known as hepatitis B. 

What is Hepatitis B?

A viral illness that damages your liver is called hepatitis B. What "hepatitis" means is inflammation of the tissues in your liver. It starts as an acute infection, which is typically transient. However, for some individuals, it develops into a persistent infection that never goes away.

Over time, persistent inflammation causes significant harm to your liver. Liver failure and cirrhosis may result from it. Hepatitis B infection can cause damage to the liver without showing any signs, just as other chronic liver illnesses. Many people are sick but are unaware of it.

Which symptoms indicate a hepatitis B infection?

Not everybody experiences symptoms. They can be moderate to severe if you do. The acute and chronic phases of an infection can cause symptoms, which you may experience or not. Whether you exhibit symptoms or not, you remain infectious.
Typical signs of an infection consist of:

• Fever.

• Loss of appetite.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Abdominal pain.

• Weakness and fatigue.

• Joint pain.

You may also have symptoms of liver disease, including:

• Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of skin and whites of the eye.

• Urine with a dark color.

• Poop has a light or clay color.

You are having fluid accumulation in your arms, legs, or tummy.
Liver disease symptoms could indicate a more severe than usual response to an acute infection. Even though many people can overcome the HBV virus without medical intervention, if you experience any liver disease symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

When you have a chronic infection, Report Word your symptoms could be light or hazy all the time, or they could go for decades without showing up at all. Later-onset symptoms, particularly those associated with liver disease, maybe a sign that your liver is starting to fail.

Also Read: Liver disease: Types of liver problem, Symptom, Treatment and Prevention

Causes of Hepatitis B:

Contact with blood, spit, semen, or other bodily fluids from an HBV-infected individual can result in the transmission of hepatitis B. Even without symptoms, an HBV carrier can transmit the virus. The most frequent ways that this can occur are as follows:

• Sharing syringes, needles, or injecting supplies

• Distributing razors, toothbrushes, or medical supplies (such as glucose monitoring)

• Direct touch with an infected person's blood or open sores

• Sexual interaction with an infected individual

• Contact with blood from an infected person's needlesticks or sharp objects

• Being at a medical center with poor infection control

• Between a pregnant woman and her unborn child during pregnancy and delivery

Saliva can transmit HBV, however kissing, embracing, sharing food or water, sharing utensils, coughing, sneezing, or breastfeeding do not spread the virus.

Risk Factors for Hepatitis B:

A person's risk of contracting hepatitis B is increased if they:

• Use injectable drugs, or if you share needles or engage in sexual activity with someone who does so

• Possess a history of sexually transmitted infections or have had many partners during the last six months.

• Possess an HIV infection.

• If your parents were born in a region where the prevalence of HBV infection exceeds 8% and you were not immunized as a baby?

• Are born in an area where the prevalence of HBV infection is higher than 2% of the population.

• Be a prisoner or employee at a jail or other detention facility.

• Work in a medical setting or a career involving blood, needles, or bodily fluids.

• Occupy a care facility for individuals with developmental impairments or work there.

• Have diabetes.

• Are HCV-positive.

• Have hepatitis B or have lived with or had sex with someone who does.

• Are receiving kidney dialysis.

• Have elevated liver enzyme levels, such as those of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

• Have lived in or frequently visited regions of the world where hepatitis B is prevalent.

• Had an organ transplant or blood transfusion before the mid-1980s, when blood and organ banks started to test donated blood and organs.

Complications:

• Serious side effects from a persistent HBV infection include:
• Liver scarring, or cirrhosis. Hepatitis B infection-related inflammation can cause cirrhosis, or significant liver scarring, which may impair its ability to function.

• Carcinoma of the liver. A persistent hepatitis B infection increases the risk of liver cancer in those who have it.

• Failure of the liver. Acute liver failure is a medical disorder where the liver stops functioning normally. When that happens, the only way for you to live is to have a liver transplant.

• Hepatitis B viral reactivation. Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus is common in people with immune system suppression from chronic hepatitis B. Liver failure or severe damage may result from this. This includes patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, such as chemotherapy or high-dose corticosteroids. You should have a hepatitis B test before using these drugs. Before beginning these treatments, you should see a hepatologist (a specialist in the liver) if your hepatitis B test is positive.

• Additional circumstances. Individuals who have chronic hepatitis B may experience blood vessel inflammation or kidney damage.

How can hepatitis B be diagnosed?

In addition to asking you about your symptoms, a medical professional will examine you. They may inquire about your past medical history, any family history of liver illness, or any conditions that could increase your risk of contracting viral hepatitis.

Testing your blood is the only way to determine for sure if you have hepatitis B because you may not have any symptoms or recognized risk factors. Certain blood tests can offer your doctor with all the information they require regarding your condition, including:

• If you suffer from a persistent or acute infection.

• If you previously contracted the infection.

• Whether you've become immune to the infection.

• If the liver function is being affected by the virus.

Your doctor might wish to request more tests to monitor the condition of your liver after the diagnosis. They may request to view radiographic pictures of the tissues in your liver. In certain situations, they might wish to take a small sample (liver biopsy) for laboratory analysis.

Recent encounter:

A blood test may not reveal HBV if you have only recently been exposed to it and the virus is still incubating in your body. Even though they might not be able to diagnose you immediately away, medical professionals can still treat you as a preventative.

What hepatitis B treatments are available?

Depending on the severity of the infection, a medical professional may present you with a variety of treatment choices.

Prophylactic treatment:

In the case that you or your child have cause to suspect recent exposure to the virus, a medical professional may recommend prophylactic measures to help stop the infection from spreading. Among these therapies are:

Vaccinations:

If you haven't received the hepatitis B vaccination yet, doctors advise getting it right away, ideally within 24 hours of exposure. Two further treatments over the following six months will be required to fully immunize you against the virus.

Immunoglobulin for hepatitis B (HBIG):

A material known as HBIG is derived from human blood and comprises naturally occurring antibodies against the hepatitis B virus. It is administered as an injection to help those who have recently come into contact with the virus prevent getting infected.

When administered to newborns whose parents have chronic hepatitis B, these therapies are quite successful in preventing infection. Youngsters who get these treatments soon after delivery have a strong chance of recovering and can safely nurse, also known as chestfeeding.

Acute treatment:

Acute hepatitis B infections cannot be treated with specialized medications, and many patients will recover without any help. However, if your symptoms are severe, a medical professional may keep an eye out for any consequences and give supportive care, like:

• IV liquids.

• Intravenous nourishment.

• Relieving of pain.

Treatment for chronic infections:

There are several medications available to treat chronic hepatitis B, but not everyone will benefit from them. Treatment recommendations are made by medical professionals based on your condition and risk factors. Your regimen can consist of:


Surveillance of:

If you are receiving treatment for chronic hepatitis B, your doctor will regularly test and examine your liver, ideally every six months. They will search for signs of active liver disease that could be impairing the health of your liver.

Tests could consist of:

• Blood tests.

• Imaging tests.

• Elastography, or scans of organ stiffness.

Medication:

Physicians have discovered that patients exhibiting symptoms of active liver disease respond well to the current hepatitis B treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 25% of patients with chronic hepatitis B may fit this description.

The medications that you take now strengthen your immune system and reduce the virus's rate of replication. While they can't eradicate the virus, they can prolong the healthiest state of your liver. Among them are:

Drugs that modulate immunity. Interferons, which are also immune modulators, include peginterferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b. These are imitations of the antibodies that the body makes to fend off infections. They are administered over six to twelve months via injection. They are given as first-line therapy for kids and as prescriptions for certain adults.

Antiviral medications are taken orally. Oral antivirals are the most potent medications for suppressing HBV. Depending upon your response and personal characteristics, your provider may suggest one or more of these. Tenofovir disoproxil, also known as tenofovir alafenamide, and entecavir are first-line antivirals. When taking these drugs, the majority of patients do so for the rest of their lives.

Lifestyle changes:

All your life, you will need to take precautions against future damage to your liver, whether or not you are on treatment for hepatitis B. Doctors recommend you abstain from alcohol and eat a balanced, healthful diet in particular.

The two main causes of liver inflammation other than infection are alcohol consumption and metabolic variables such as excessive blood sugar and triglycerides. Reducing alcohol, sugar, and fat intake is recommended to reduce inflammation if you currently have chronic hepatitis.

Surgery:

Should chronic hepatitis result in complications including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure, you may require liver removal surgery. If enough healthy tissue is left behind after a partial resection, your liver can regenerate itself.

However, if a large portion of your liver is damaged or failing, a liver transplant will be required to replace it. The majority of donated livers come from recently deceased individuals, and these are in high demand. However, if you can locate a living liver donor, you can avoid the waiting period.

Prevention:

How can I lower my chance of contracting hepatitis B?

Vaccination is the best defense against infection. In your daily life, you won't have to worry about accidental contact if you've had the vaccination against the virus. The three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine must be taken within six months, though.

You can lower your risk in the near term by:

• Preparing in advance for international travel. Plan to get your immunizations before you travel if you intend to visit areas with a high illness rate.

• Prophylactic care. If you believe you may have been exposed lately, getting a dose of the vaccination plus hepatitis B immune globulin within 24 hours will lower your chance of infection.

• If you believe you have been exposed to HBV, get treatment to protect yourself

• Share no medical supplies, razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or needles

• Partners in sexual relations who have hepatitis B

• Any individual with a sexually transmitted infection, such as HIV

If you are infected with hepatitis B, you can help prevent others from contracting it by:

• Obtaining medical care and a diagnosis when necessary

• Disclosing your hepatitis B status to any potential sexual partners and urging them to receive the vaccine

• Every time you have sex, use a fresh latex or polyurethane condom

• If you take injection medicines, You should also dispose of your needles properly and wash your hands after injecting

• Notifying your doctor about your pregnancy will enable them to assist in organizing your baby's treatment following delivery

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm). Accessed 12/21/2022.

• World Health Organization. Hepatitis B (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b). Accessed 12/21/2022.

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hepatitis B (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-b). 12/21/2022.

• Eng-Kiong T, et al. Epidemiology, transmission, and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 16, 2022.

• Hepatitis B Foundation. What Is Hepatitis B? (https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/what-is-hepb/) Accessed 12/21/2022.

• Lok AS. Hepatitis B virus: Clinical manifestations and natural history. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 16, 2022.

• National Library of Medicine. Hepatitis B (https://medlineplus.gov/hepatitisb.html). Accessed 12/21/2022.