Hepatitis B disease is a vaccine-preventable viral disease that is transmitted through blood, body fluids, sexually transmitted, causes acute and chronic liver disease, can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer in the future. The disease usually heals in a few months, but some patients may show recurrent disease attacks and develop into liver failure and cancer.
The disease caused by the hepatitis B virus can have life-threatening consequences. Therefore, it is a serious disease and studies for prevention and prevention are very important.
According to WHO, there are approximately 1.5 million new hepatitis B patients each year and 820,000 deaths due to cirrhosis and liver failure due to this disease.
The disease is a global disease but is common in Asia and Africa.
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How is hepatitis B disease transmitted?
The hepatitis B virus is the cause of the disease. It is most commonly spread by transmission from an infected mother to her baby. Other common transmission methods are contaminated needle sticks, tattoos, contamination with contaminated body fluids, transmission through contaminated blood and sexually transmitted. Healthcare workers are particularly at risk for transmission. However, anyone who has not been vaccinated, especially those who use intravenous drugs and sex workers, is at risk for transmission.
Less than 5% of chronic hepatitis develops due to the disease. The risk of developing chronic hepatitis is much higher in people infected with the virus in infancy and childhood (especially under 5 years of age).
Hepatitis B virus is resistant to outdoor conditions and can stay outdoors for up to a week. Therefore, the risk of transmission is high in contact with contaminated materials.
The time elapsed between the transmission of the virus and the occurrence of the disease varies between 30-180 days.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B disease?
Hepatitis B does not show symptoms immediately or has very mild symptoms.
- Fire,
- Tiredness,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Abdominal pain (especially in the upper abdomen),
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice),
- Darkening of urine color,
- There may be itching of the skin.
Disease symptoms may last 1-3 months. Symptoms lasting longer than 6 months are indicative of chronic hepatitis. In the future, cirrhosis and liver cancer may develop.
Some patients (1-10%) may develop extrahepatic diseases such as serum sickness-like syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, membranous glomerulonephritis, and papular acrodermatitis.
Hepatitis B disease can be seen together with HIV, especially in cases of sexual transmission.
How is hepatitis B diagnosed?
Diagnosis of hepatitis B disease can be quite difficult with clinical findings. Although the anamnesis and clinical findings are instructive, the diagnosis is made by laboratory tests.
Contact of the patient with a known hepatitis B patient is also important in diagnosis.
Laboratory tests requested in hepatitis B disease are usually:
- HBsAg: It is an indicator of active disease. These patients are contagious.
- Anti HBs : Indicates that the person has hepatitis B vaccine or has hepatitis B disease. In those who are vaccinated, the protection rate is determined according to the blood level of this test and if it is low, the vaccine is repeated. It shows that the disease is not in the active process in those who have had the disease.
- Anti HBc: Interpreted with anti HBs and HBsAg. If it is positive with anti-HBs, a previous infection or recovery is indicative of chronic disease if it is positive with HBsAg.
- Liver tests Other liver tests, along with viral markers, may be done to evaluate how much hepatitis has affected the liver.
When should a hepatitis B patient go to the doctor?
Anyone who has come into contact with someone with hepatitis B and has one or more of the symptoms of hepatitis B should be checked by a doctor. Hepatitis B disease can have fatal consequences. It is a vaccine preventable disease. Vaccines should not be neglected, and in cases where the disease is suspected, a doctor should be consulted.
How is hepatitis B disease treated?
Rest and supportive treatment are recommended for acute hepatitis B disease. Fluid supplementation and treatment for other symptoms, if any. Drugs that can tire the liver (acetaminophen, paracetamol, etc.) should be avoided. It is recommended that those who complain of itching wear loose clothing and stay away from hot showers.
Antiviral drugs (tenofovir or entecavir) are used in chronic hepatitis B disease. Sometimes these drugs may need to be used for life. Medications can prevent the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer.
He advises patients to give up eating habits that will tire the liver, to keep the immune system strong, to stay away from alcohol, and not to share personal items such as razors with others.
How can I protect myself from hepatitis B?
- The basis of protection from hepatitis B disease is to be vaccinated. It is especially important to have childhood vaccinations and additional vaccinations in adulthood.
- Pregnant women should be checked for hepatitis B disease during pregnancy, and if the disease is present, necessary prophylaxis should be done at birth.
- Vaccination and prophylaxis information can be found on the hepatitis B vaccine page.
- Not sharing personal belongings with others and using condoms are other ways of protection.
What can hepatitis B patients do to protect their liver?
- Have your regular check-ups, your doctor will follow the condition of your liver with liver tests,
- Get your hepatitis A vaccine in order not to tire the liver more by adding other diseases,
- Stay away from habits that will harm the liver, such as alcohol, smoking, substance use,
- Use the drugs, supplements, alternative treatment methods, herbs you will use, in consultation with your doctor,
- Stay away from chemicals at home, at work, at school, household cleaning products, personal care materials, paint materials can damage your liver,
- Some of the seafood can damage the liver, be sure to consult your doctor.
- Choose liver-friendly foods (such as fruit, lean meat, fish, grains),
- Avoid fatty foods
- Do regular exercise
- Take lots of rest,
- Stay away from stress.