What is Hepatitis B? Symptoms and Treatment Methods
Hepatitis B, a serious liver disease, is a common inflammatory disease worldwide. The causative agent of the disease is Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B, which is contagious, causes disease only in humans. When the virus enters the body, it settles only in the liver cells. The hepatitis B virus releases the proteins it contains to healthy cells, allowing the immune system to attack these protein molecules. As a result, liver cells are damaged and inflammation begins.
Hepatitis B, which causes elevated liver enzymes, is transmitted through blood, body fluids and mucosal contact. In other words, the disease is transmitted through unsterilized needles and unprotected sexual intercourse. Although Hepatitis B is not transmitted by kissing since there is no virus in the oral mucosa, kissing is dangerous in the presence of herpes on the mouth or lips. Hepatitis B can also be found in places where tattoos are made. Although disposable sterile needles are used during the procedure, sharing the paint bottle in which the needle is inserted may lead to the transmission of the Hepatitis B virus to a healthy person. In addition, razors, straight razors, manicure and pedicure tools used in hairdressers can transmit the Hepatitis B virus if they are not properly sterilized. The virus can also be transmitted from the expectant mother to the baby during pregnancy. The disease, seen all over the world, is more common in Southern Europe and Far Eastern countries. Türkiye is in the medium risk zone. If the vaccine-preventable disease lasts longer than 6 months, the disease is called chronic Hepatitis B. Chronic Hepatitis B, which causes scar tissue in the liver, can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and cirrhosis.
What is Hepatitis B?
The disease caused by the hepatitis B virus can also be defined as liver inflammation. The disease is transmitted from person to person through blood, contact with body fluids and sexually. The disease, which can also be transmitted to the baby in the womb of the expectant mother, can lead to life-threatening diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated. After being infected with some people, the hepatitis B virus can survive in the body without causing disease. In some people, although the disease recovers, the virus cannot be eliminated from the body. Even though the virus does not cause any symptoms in these people, the risk of being a carrier and therefore transmitting the infection continues. While the majority of people who are carriers of the hepatitis B virus can live a lifetime without experiencing any health problems related to the virus, 10% of these people may develop hepatitis B disease. Therefore, it is recommended that people who carry hepatitis B be followed up at regular intervals. Hepatitis B is divided into acute and chronic. In acute Hepatitis B infection, a person recovers within 6 months after exposure to the virus. Chronic hepatitis B is a definition used for cases that cannot be eliminated within 6 months after the virus is transmitted to a healthy person. While the frequency of acute Hepatitis B infection becoming chronic among adults is around 1% to 5%, this rate increases up to 90% in newborns. In other words, the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic decreases with age. However, although very rare, fulminant Hepatitis B may occur. Fulminant Hepatitis B begins suddenly and can rapidly lead to liver failure, which can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
The incubation period after the virus is transmitted to a person is between 6 weeks and 6 months. During this period the person is contagious. Hepatitis B disease, transmitted through sexual contact and body fluids, causes liver damage. The disease, which can progress without symptoms until the liver is damaged, is usually diagnosed when it turns into cirrhosis or cancer. Hepatitis B symptoms that occur in symptomatic cases can be listed as follows:
- Weakness and fatigue,
- Fire,
- Loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- bloody vomit,
- Yellowing of eyes and skin,
- Abdominal swelling due to edema,
- Edema in the legs,
- Stomach ache,
- ligament pain,
- joint pains,
- diarrhea,
- Lightening of stool color,
- Darkening of urine color,
- Skin bruising easily.
What are the causes of Hepatitis B?
The disease caused by the hepatitis B virus can cause liver damage, leading to different life-threatening diseases such as liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer. In such cases, treatment often requires liver transplantation. Hepatitis B causes are directly related to the transmission of the virus. Hepatitis B causes or ways of transmission can be listed as follows:
- Transfusion of blood and blood products,
- Sharing objects such as razors, nail clippers and toothbrushes with the person carrying the virus,
- Contact with open wounds or blood of an infected person,
- Having unprotected sexual intercourse,
- Sharing injection materials such as needles and syringes,
- needle stick,
- Being exposed to blood through cutting and piercing instruments,
- Reusing non-sterilized surgical instruments,
- Getting a tattoo without proper conditions,
- Using shared tools during procedures such as manicure and pedicure,
- From mother to child during birth.
Frequently asked question “How is Hepatitis B transmitted?” The question can also be answered this way. Hepatitis B virus is not transmitted through water, food, breathing or droplets.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. Hepatitis B vaccine, which is included in the infancy vaccination schedule, is administered in 3 doses. The first dose of the vaccine is given within 72 hours following birth. The 2nd dose is administered at the end of the first month and the 3rd dose is administered at the end of the 6th month. If vaccination is administered after birth, the second dose can be administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose and the second dose can be administered at least 8 weeks after the second dose. After the birth of people with hepatitis B, the first dose of the vaccine to the baby should be given within the first 12 hours. Anti-HBs and HBsAg tests should be performed on the baby 4 to 8 weeks after administration of the 3rd dose. The protection rate of the hepatitis B vaccine, which can be applied to all age groups, is 95% in people between the ages of 0-19, and 90% in adults. In people over the age of 60, the protection of the vaccine drops to approximately 75%. The protection of the vaccine may decrease over time. Common side effects of the vaccine are pain at the injection site and mild fever. Rarely, headache, weakness and restlessness may occur.
What to Do to Avoid HBV?
The most effective precaution that can be taken to avoid the hepatitis B virus is vaccination. In addition, unprotected sexual intercourse should not be attempted and objects such as toothbrushes, lipsticks and nail clippers that belong to others should not be shared even once.
What are the precautions that Hepatitis B carriers can take?
Hepatitis B virus is 10 times more contagious than Hepatitis C and 100 times more contagious than HIV, which causes AIDS. Therefore, Hepatitis B patients and carriers are recommended to take the following precautions:
- Make sure the people you live with are vaccinated as soon as possible.
- Never have unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Do not share tools such as razors, lipsticks, toothbrushes and nail clippers with family members or friends, and do not use their personal hygiene items.
- If you are pregnant, be sure to inform your doctor about this situation.
- Strictly avoid alcohol use, which causes liver damage.
- Inform your physician before dental operations or surgical intervention.
What are the Treatment Methods for Hepatitis B Disease?
Hepatitis B disease is diagnosed with a blood test. Although treatment is usually not needed in acute Hepatitis B cases, some supportive medications can be prescribed to reduce the complaints caused by the symptoms. In cases of chronic hepatitis B, there are many different drug options for treatment. The aim of treatment is to eliminate the possibility of the disease turning into liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although hepatitis B can be taken under control thanks to the treatment applied, it is not possible to eliminate the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B treatment is mostly done with oral medications. However, in advanced cases, liver transplantation may be required.
