Jonah Q
Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. The liver can become inflamed as a result of infection, a disorder of the immune system or exposure to alcohol, certain medications, toxins, or poisons.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection has 2 phases: acute and chronic. Acute (new, short-term) hepatitis B occurs shortly after exposure to the virus. A small number of people develop a very severe, life-threatening form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis.
Chronic (ongoing, long-term) hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 months. People with chronic HBV infection are called chronic carriers. About two-thirds of these people do not themselves get sick or die of the virus, but they can transmit it to other people.
The liver is an essential organ that the body needs to stay alive. Its most important functions are filtering many drugs and toxins out of the blood, storing energy for later use, helping with the absorption of certain nutrients from food, and producing substances that fight infections and control bleeding.
The good news is that infection with HBV is almost always preventable.
Hepatitis B causes
1. The hepatitis B virus is known as a blood-borne virus because it is transmitted from one person to another via blood.
2. Semen which contains small amounts of blood, also carry the virus.
3. The virus can be transmitted whenever any of these bodily fluids come in contact with a broken skin or a mucous membrane (in the mouth, genital organs, or rectum) of an uninfected person.
People who are at increased risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus include the following:
1. Men or women who have multiple sex partners, especially if they don’t use a condom
2. Men who have sex with men
3. Men or women who have sex with a person infected with HBV
4. People with other sexually transmitted diseases
5. People who inject drugs with shared needles
6. People who receive transfusions of blood or blood products
7. People who undergo dialysis for kidney disease
8. Health care workers who are stuck with needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood
9. Infants born to infected mothers
Hepatitis B symptoms
1. Appetite loss
2. Feeling tired
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Itching all over the body
5. Pain over the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage)
6. Jaundice – A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in color
7. Urine becomes dark in color (like cola or tea).
8. Stools are pale in color (grayish or clay colored).
Acute hepatitis B usually goes away by itself and does not require medical treatment. Very severe, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may require treatment to restore fluids and electrolytes.
If one has chronic hepatitis B, he or she should see his/her health care provider regularly
Self-care at home
The goals of self-care are to relieve symptoms and prevent worsening of the disease.
1. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration such as water, fruit juices are even better because they provide calories.
2. Avoid medicines and substances that can cause harm to the liver.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol
4. Avoid using drugs without consulting your doctor.
5. Try to eat enough for adequate nutrition. Eat foods that appeal to you, but try to maintain a balanced diet.
6. Avoid prolonged, vigorous exercise until symptoms start to improve.
7. Call your health care provider for advice if your condition worsens or new symptoms appear.
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