Hepatitis B, as one of the major challenges in global public health, cannot be underestimated. According to statistics, nearly 257 million people worldwide are infected with chronic hepatitis B virus. Therefore, it is very important to understand hepatitis B and prevent it.
What's going on with hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B (hepatitis B) is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It mainly attacks liver cells and causes acute or chronic hepatitis. After viral infection, some patients can recover on their own, but a considerable number of people become chronic carriers and even develop serious diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
How hepatitis B is transmitted: It's not just blood
1. Blood-borne transmission: The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted directly through blood, such as sharing syringes, contamination during blood transfusions or blood products, and blood-to-blood contact during injuries.
2. Mother-to-child transmission: The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted to the newborn through infection of the placenta, birth canal secretions, and breast milk of mothers with hepatitis B.
3. Sexual transmission: Sexual contact is a common route of transmission of hepatitis B. Having sex with someone with hepatitis B virus infection, especially unprotected sex (such as using condoms), increases the risk of infection.
4. Vertical transmission: In addition to breast milk transmission, the hepatitis B virus can also be transmitted through close contact between family members, such as sharing personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, etc.
5. Other routes: HBV can also be transmitted through sharing syringes and touching contaminated tools and instruments during drug use.
If you think you may be infected with the hepatitis B virus, it is advisable to consult your doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment advice.
What are the dangers of hepatitis B if left unchecked?
If left unchecked, hepatitis B can pose a range of health problems and potential harms, including:
1. Acute hepatitis: Some infected patients will develop acute hepatitis, which is manifested by symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
2. Chronic hepatitis: About 5% to 10% of adults with hepatitis B infection will evolve into chronic hepatitis, and long-term inflammation can lead to liver damage.
3. Cirrhosis: Chronic hepatitis may progress over time leading to stones in the liver tissue and loss of function, known as cirrhosis.
4. Portal hypertension: Cirrhosis of the liver may lead to high blood pressure in the portal vein system, which may cause serious problems such as ascites and esophageal varices.
5. Liver failure: Severe liver damage can lead to liver failure, which is a potentially life-threatening state because the liver is unable to perform its normal metabolic and detoxification functions.
6. Liver cancer (especially hepatocellular carcinoma): People with chronic hepatitis B infection have a significantly increased risk of liver cancer.
7. Other systemic effects: Hepatitis B may also affect other organ systems, such as the kidneys (nephritis) or joints (arthritis).
If left untreated, hepatitis B can lead to serious consequences and even death. In addition, the hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to baby, so preventive measures such as vaccinations and safe sex are also important.
How is hepatitis B tested and treated?
The detection and treatment of hepatitis B mainly include the following aspects:
1. Testing: Hepatitis B can be infected with a blood test to determine the status of infection. Commonly used detection methods include:
HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) test: used to confirm the presence of hepatitis B virus infection.
Anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) test: used to determine whether immunity has been developed.
Anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) test: used to determine if you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus in the past.
HBV-DNA test: used to determine the activity and reproductive capacity of the hepatitis B virus.
2. Treatment: The goals of hepatitis B treatment are to reduce the level of viral replication, reduce the degree of inflammation in the liver, prevent complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, and achieve long-lasting viral suppression as much as possible. Treatment options are individualized and include:
Antiviral therapy: Antiviral drugs, such as nucleotide analogues and interferons, are used to inhibit the replication and multiplication of the hepatitis B virus.
Immunotherapy: such as interferon therapy, which is used to strengthen the immune system's ability to resist.
Symptomatic treatment: including controlling inflammation and protecting liver function.
Note that treatment for hepatitis B needs to be done under the guidance of a doctor, and treatment options may vary depending on the individual situation. At the same time, regular monitoring of HBV replication levels and liver function is necessary to guide the evaluation of treatment effect and the adjustment of treatment regimens. If you suspect you have hepatitis B virus, talk to your doctor as soon as possible for testing and treatment.
Prevention of hepatitis B
1. Vaccination: The hepatitis B vaccine is the most important means of preventing hepatitis B. Following your doctor's recommendations and your country's immunization schedule, hepatitis B vaccination can provide long-term immune protection.
2. Avoid blood-borne transmission: Avoid direct contact with other people's blood, and do not share syringes, burrs, and other items. In any case where the use of needles is required, make sure to use sterile, disposable instruments.
3. Safe sex: Use condoms or other contraceptive methods to reduce the risk of sexual transmission. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through sexual contact, especially if you have unprotected sex with an infected person, and the risk of infection is higher.
4. Avoid vertical transmission: Pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B before birth and get vaccinated against hepatitis B. Ways to avoid mother-to-child transmission include standardizing delivery procedures and giving newborns timely hepatitis B vaccination.
5. Personal hygiene: Avoid sharing personal hygiene products such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, etc. with others. Make sure to use sterile utensils to avoid cross-contamination.
6. Regular testing: For high-risk groups (such as medical staff, sexual partners, etc.), hepatitis B virus testing should be carried out regularly to detect infection early and take corresponding measures.
7. Education and publicity: Strengthen the learning and publicity of hepatitis B knowledge, and raise the public's awareness of hepatitis B prevention and control.
The above advice is for reference only, if you want specific measures to prevent hepatitis B, please consult a medical professional for accurate guidance.
There are often misconceptions about hepatitis B. For example, some people think that you can get hepatitis B through daily contact such as eating and shaking hands with a person with hepatitis B, but this is not accurate. The hepatitis B virus is mainly transmitted through blood, mother-to-child and sexual contact, and hepatitis B cannot be transmitted through daily contact. Therefore, we should not discriminate against people living with hepatitis B, but should give them love and support.
In addition, some people believe that there is no cure for hepatitis B and therefore abandon treatment. In fact, with advances in medicine, the effectiveness of hepatitis B treatment has improved significantly. With standardized antiviral therapy, many patients with hepatitis B can achieve stable disease or even clinical cure. Therefore, hepatitis B patients should actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment, adhere to the medication, and have regular check-ups.
In short, hepatitis B is a common infectious disease, but as long as we have a deep understanding of hepatitis B, scientifically prevent hepatitis B, and actively treat hepatitis B, we can effectively control the spread and harm of hepatitis B.