When you have some symptoms which are not easy to get diagnosed, like

• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Joint pain
• Hives
• Ascites
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Low appetite

Consult the best gastroenterologist’s team of Ahmedabad, it can be symptom of Hepatitis B. Before jumping on to the symptom of hepatitis B, let's see what Hepatitis B is all about. In this section, we will deal with-

• What is Hepatitis B
• Symptom of Hepatitis B
• When One Needs Endoscopy?
• Types
• Risk factors
• Complications
• Prevention
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection which is caused by HBV i.e., Hepatitis B virus. It’s a vaccine-preventable liver infection. The mode of transmission of this disease is blood, semen or other body fluids which get transferred from an infected body to a healthy one. This could happen through sexual contact, sharing a needle with an infected person, or foetal transfusion i.e., from mother to baby. There are several symptom of hepatitis B like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, jaundice etc. Some of these are short term while some are long and chronic which can give serious life-threatening complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer.

For the prevention of Hepatitis B, it's important to get vaccinated first. The risk for chronic infection is directly related to age, about 90% of infants with hepatitis B develop chronic infections at a later stage, whereas 2-6% of people who are infected with hepatitis B as adults become chronically infected.

SYMPTOM of HEPATITIS B

For the prevention of Hepatitis B, it's important to get vaccinated first. The risk for chronic infection is directly related to age, about 90% of infants with hepatitis B develop chronic infections at a later stage, whereas 2-6% of people who are infected with hepatitis B as adults become chronically infected.

Symptom hepatitis B includes-

• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Joint pain
• Hives
• Ascites
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Low appetite

CAUSES-

• Sexual contact- unprotected sex with the infected person could be one reason for the transmission of Hepatitis B, it can transfer through the blood, semen, sweat or vaginal discharge.
• Needle stick injury- all healthcare professionals should always get the prior instruction of vaccination of Hepatitis B, as they are in frequent contact with needles and blood.
• Sharing needles- Hepatitis B easily spreads through needles and syringes which are contaminated with blood.
• Foetal transmission- the woman who is pregnant and also a carrier of HBV can pass the virus to the baby during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid getting infected. Do consult your concerned doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant.

TYPES-

Hepatitis B is precisely divided into 2 types i.e., Acute & Chronic hepatitis B. Based on duration hepatitis B is classified as acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting)

• Acute hepatitis B infection generally lasts for less than six months. The immune system can likely fight to clear acute hepatitis B from the body and the recovery could be seen within a month. Most adults who suffered from hepatitis B as an adult have an acute infection.
• Chronic hepatitis B infection usually lasts for six months or more. It spreads because the immune system cannot fight the infection. Chronic hepatitis is the most fatal disease which can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The disease is more fatal when it infects children less than 5 years of age, the chances of turning it into chronic are more because they are undetected for several years

RISK FACTORS-

The mode of transmission of Hepatitis B is blood, semen, or other body fluids from an infected person. The risk of Hepatitis B increases when one-

• Have unprotected sex with multiple partners who are infected with HBV.
• Shares infected needle during IV drug transfusion
• An infant born from an infected mother
• Have a job which can expose you to HBV
• Travel to places with high infection rates like Africa, Asia, Pacific Island, Eastern Europe

COMPLICATIONS-

The dosage of Hepatitis injection is 3-4 injections over 6 months. One cannot get Hepatitis B from the vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

• Newborns
• Children and adolescents not vaccinated after birth
• Those who work for Developmentally disabled people
• Someone who lives with a patient of Hepatitis B
• Healthcare workers who are in direct contact with blood.
• People with STDs including HIV
• Someone who has multiple sex partners
• Someone who has shared needles or syringes
• Someone with chronic liver disease
• Someone who is in the end-stage of kidney disease
• Someone who has recently travelled to a prone zone of Hepatitis B.

Always take precautions to avoid HBV-

• Check on the HBV or any other infection of your partner.
• Use of new condom every time of intercourse.
• Beware of illegal drugs.
• Be careful about body piercing and tattooing.
• Check on the hepatitis B vaccine before you travel.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will help you with the diagnosis and examine for signs of liver damage like yellowing of skin, and belly pain. Diagnostic tests included here are-

• Blood tests. To help you with the diagnosis and detection of the hepatitis B virus to help whether it’s acute or chronic. A blood test helps to determine the condition easily.
• Liver ultrasound. Special ultrasound called transient elastography can show the part of the damaged liver.
• Liver biopsy. A small sample of the liver is removed for the test of damaged liver (also known as a liver biopsy). At the time of this test, the doctor inserts a thin needle into the skin and the liver and removes a tissue sample for laboratory analysis.

Treatment

Treatment for Hepatitis B is a condition which could be managed with the right treatment at right time.

Treatment to prevent hepatitis B infection after exposure

Immediately after the exposure to hepatitis B virus consult your doctor and get an inj. of immunoglobulin (an antibody) given within 12 hrs of exposure. As this injection provides only the treatment for a short period, a shot of the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time is a must.

Treatment to prevent acute hepatitis B infection

After the diagnosis, if the infection is found acute, it may go away with time with proper nutrition, and plenty of fluids while the body’s immunity fights the infection. In severe cases, antiviral drugs or hospitalization are important to prevent complications.

Treatment to prevent chronic hepatitis B infection

When someone is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B infection, they need treatment throughout their lives. Treatment is helpful in risk reduction and further transmission of the disease. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B must include-

• Antiviral medications- These include the consumptions of drugs like entecavir, tenofovir etc which can help fight the virus and slow its tendency to damage the liver. These drugs are taken orally. But before proceeding with any medication consult with your Gastroenterologist.
• Interferon injection- This treatment is mainly for young patients with hepatitis B who wants to avoid long-term treatment or women who are planning their pregnancy. Interferon alfa-2b is a human-made version of a substance produced by the body to fight infection. It should be used during pregnancy, side effects may include nausea, vomiting etc.
• Liver transplant- This step is taken at the advanced stage when the liver is severely damaged and there is no other option, other than a transplant. During the liver transplant, the surgeon removes the damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. This surgery is done with the help of deceased donors, as some part also comes from the living donors. But the proportion is low.

Gastroplus Hospital is located at 3 prime locations in Ahmedabad with a team of the best Gastroenterologists who are well skilled to guide and perform all liver disorders. Symptom of Hepatitis B shouldn’t be overlooked, one must visit the Gastroenterologist for undelayed treatment.