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Hepatitis B: Symptoms and Treatments

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a disease that affects your body’s largest and most important organ.Hepatitis B is a contagious liver infection that can lead to serious liver disease, including cancer. It can also lead to long-term complications like cirrhosis or liver failure.It’s most common in people aged 15-44 who engage in high-risk behaviors or have compromised immune systems. Some people with chronic HBV infection will not show any signs or symptoms, but are still infecting others with the virus.

Hepatitis B is spread by direct contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. Because of the blood exchange that occurs between mother and baby during birthing, the virus is most typically transmitted from an infected pregnant person to their kid. It is also spread via exchanging personal objects such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, and body jewelry, as well as unsterile medical or dental equipment, unprotected intercourse, or unsterile needles.

The causes of Hepatitis B

 

The first signs of hepatitis B are usually fatigue and feeling sick. If left untreated it can lead to serious liver damage and death. There are several simple things that people can do to protect themselves from hepatitis B, including getting a routine vaccination, not sharing needles and alcohol, and getting tested for the virus.

 

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B may include:

 

  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, also called jaundice

 

Treatments for Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can be prevented, treated and cured. If you’re at risk for hepatitis B, take steps to protect your health today by getting tested, even if you’ve been tested before since many people have the virus and don’t know it.

The symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on how sick you are and how far along the infection has progressed. It can cause serious health problems if not treated properly, but there are many effective treatments to help you get well again.

  • Immune modulator Drugs – Interferon-like medications known as immune modulators are used to strengthen the immune system and aid in the eradication of the hepatitis B virus. They are administered as a shot over the course of six months to a year, much like insulin is administered to persons with diabetes. Interferon-like medications known as immune modulators are used to strengthen the immune system and aid in the eradication of the hepatitis B virus. They are administered as a shot over the course of six months to a year, much like insulin is administered to persons with diabetes.

 

  • Liver transplant – A liver transplant may be an option if your liver has sustained significant damage. The surgeon removes your diseased liver during a liver transplant and replaces it with a healthy liver. Although a tiny percentage of transplanted livers originate from living donors who donate a portion of their livers, most transplanted livers come from deceased donors.

Diagnosis

 

Blood Test – Acute or chronic hepatitis B can be identified by blood testing, which can also inform your healthcare professional of the condition. You can also find out if you are immune to the illness with a straightforward blood test.

 

Liver Biopsy – To screen for liver disease, your doctor could take a small sample of your liver for testing. It’s known as a liver biopsy. A small piece of liver tissue is removed for laboratory analysis after your doctor inserts a tiny needle through your skin into your liver during this procedure.

 

Call your doctor as soon as you realize you’ve been exposed to the hepatitis B virus. It’s critical to be aware of your hepatitis B vaccination status. Your medical professional will ask you about the timing and nature of your exposure.

 

To prevent yourself from getting infected with hepatitis B, get the hepatitis B vaccine. We can help you, your family, and your friends to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine shots.

More than one shot is required for this vaccination and this can be done with us at Valley Ridge Pharmacy. You can contact us for more information or visit our website!