The World Health Organization says the Hepatitis B virus infects more than
254 million people worldwide, including 29.8 million in India.
The liver is an important organ that helps digest food. It removes toxins
and waste products while metabolizing nutrients. A liver can become infected
with hepatitis B, a common viral contagious disease. Dr Baruch Samuel Blumberg
discovered the virus in 1965.
The virus may go unnoticed in the initial stages. It turns fatal at a later
stage, leading to liver cirrhosis and cancer. The virus can live on the surface
for at least seven days.
Causes
Alcohol consumption is primarily responsible for the development of liver infections, serving as the leading factor that contributes to this health issue. Infected blood and body fluids help spread the virus, which is also spread through blood transfusion.
An unchecked blood donor with hepatitis B will spread the disease to a
healthy recipient. Sharing needles, unprotected sex, tattooing, open-cut wounds,
etc., are some other causes.
Hepatitis B can come from an infected mother to her child during birth or
delivery.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hepatitis B may not be the same for everyone. Fatigue,
nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice are common symptoms. The abdominal pain
can be excruciating, and walking is difficult. This may be due to ascites,
where fluid builds up in the abdomen. An infected person also passes out pale,
dark urine and stool.
Vaccination and recovery
Adults suffering from severe hepatitis B can recover. In the case of
children and newborns, hepatitis B infection can be long-lasting. Vaccination
can prevent the progression of the disease. An effective and safe vaccine is
crucial for protecting against hepatitis B infection. WHO recommends
vaccination for newborns after birth.
Prescribed anti-viral medicines can control the infection. A patient needs
special care to keep the liver healthy, as the disease may recur over time.
A robust immune system can aid in quick recovery. A person with low immunity
faces problems in eradicating the virus.
An infected individual should avoid alcohol and smoking. Maintaining a
well-balanced diet, etc, will help to reduce the viral load. In case of
severity, proper bed rest is also advised.
Diagnosis
Blood tests confirm the presence of the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B
viral load test or HBV DNA test measures the amount of viral DNA in the blood.
A high viral load is a sign of damage to the liver and a higher chance of
spreading the virus. Blood tests should be undertaken every six months.
Viewpoint
A killer disease on the prowl, hepatitis B leads to many deaths worldwide.
Advancements in viral load tests will help to curb the disease. Novel
approaches to discovering drugs, therapies, and diagnostics are the need of the
hour.
Timely intervention and proper diagnosis hold
the key to faster recovery. Viruses are everywhere and in various forms.
Awareness and adequate knowledge about the disease will help.
