Hepatitis B was the first discovered hepatitis variant and was discovered in Australian Aborigines in the 19s. This was discovered by the American scientist, microbiologist Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg. He was a general physician and was working on a patient with jaundice. At first, it was only named as an Australian antigen but today it is discovered as one of an antigen of hepatitis B called Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg). Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus and you also can say that hepatitis B virus leads to both acute and chronic liver Infection. Today an average of 6 million people dies due to this contagious disease, which is more than any other disease.
Hepatitis B virus Structure:
Every hepatitis virus has a unique structure to cause an infectious disease in humans. Hepatitis B virus:
- Is an Enveloped virus
- Have circular double-stranded DNA
- Have DNA polymerase
- Baltimore classification VII
- One serotype.
- 3 different surface antigens i.e. Surface antigen, core antigen and, E antigen
- Family : Hepadnaviridae
Hepatitis B transmission:
A question always asked by the audience that how do you get hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a liver infectious disease that is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). This virus is a contagious virus that spread through both direct and indirect contact. Mainly viruses spread through the body’s secretion such as blood, semen, saliva, vaginal fluid and, CSF. It gives the meaning that Hepatitis B spread through close contact such as Sexual intercourse, having an unscreened transfusion.
One of the most important things to notice is that hepatitis B also spread during pregnancy. It is because the mother and fetus have contact with blood. It also spread with breastfeeding. So if we have to prevent the transmission of the virus, one must have to save himself from these contacts.
Hepatitis B Symptoms:
There are two types of symptoms in hepatitis B depends upon the severity of the disease.
- Acute hepatitis B:
Children and adults both face acute and chronic hepatitis yet there is a small difference in the symptoms of hepatitis B in children, as younger infants up to age 4-5 years have no such symptoms in acute hepatitis B. It is because the immune system is much stronger. The symptoms for acute hepatitis B usually appear after 2-3 months of exposure.
Symptoms for Acute Hepatitis B are:
- Fatigue and persistent fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Frequent dark urination
- Chronic Hepatitis B:
In most cases of hepatitis B, chronic symptoms occur. This is because these viruses have more strength to act against the immune system causing hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Low-grade fever
- Upper abdominal pain due to injury in liver cells.
- Retention of fluid causes inflammation.
- Grey color stool.
Hepatitis B diagnosis:
Hepatitis B is diagnosed by the symptoms a patient has. Doctors may advise a routine examination of your body but mainly it is diagnosed by the results shown by blood and urine test. With the advancement of medical sciences and diagnostic laboratories, viruses detection is now easier.
- At first, the doctor examines the symptoms that are visible and can be felt with bare eyes. Such as abdominal inflammation and other symptoms such as fever, nausea and, vomiting, etc.
- LFTs are done to check the normal activity of the liver. In the case of viral hepatitis B, the values of Liver enzymes are elevated.
- Hepatitis surface antigen and hepatitis surface antibody are also used with help of the mechanism of cross-reactivity presence. These are done on special types of kits which are commonly known as the ICT method.
- ELISA and PCR are done for checking the presence of the Hepatitis B virus. Today PCR is used widely for the detection of viral load.
- In the case of liver injury in chronic hepatitis, Ultrasound and liver biopsy are done. Ultrasound also shows the inflammation of the spleen and pancreas, indicates that the liver is damaged.
Hepatitis B treatment:
There is no specific treatment against acute hepatitis B. But chronic hepatitis needs certain types of antiviral drugs with the monetization of symptoms given by the patient of hepatitis B. these antiviral are given for certain months so that virus can be prevented. This viral load is determined by the help of PCR and after this, the doctor prescribes a special dose of antiviral drugs against hepatitis B.
Sometimes, other medications against the other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and fever are also recommended but with the prescribed dose. Other than this doctor regularly calls his patient to have a regular checkup and recommends the patient to have PCR regularly after 2 months to check the viral load and also check liver damage.
Hepatitis B Prevention:
Hepatitis B can be prevented by preventing yourself from exposure to the transmission mean of hepatitis B. Estimation says that 75% of hepatitis B is transmitted through transfusion of unscreened blood. So if you have to prevent hepatitis B you must transfuse the screened blood. So it is preferred to have known about the transmission mode of not only Hepatitis B but all types of hepatitis so the spread can be prevented.
Hepatitis B prevention relies heavily on the hepatitis B vaccine. According to WHO To complete the series, all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after delivery, preferably within 24 hours, followed by two or three doses of hepatitis B vaccine spaced at least four weeks apart. To decrease transmission from mother to kid, a timely birth dosage is a useful measure.
As Hepatitis B is spread through contaminated blood so other preventions you may know are:
- Not share needles
- Not share shaving blades and Combs
- Not using someone’s things like toothbrushes, razors, towels, etc.
- Use proper screening of blood and do not touch blood directly with hands.
- Use gloves and masks if you are medical health professionals. Avoid direct contact with syringes and needles.
What causes hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infectious disease that is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). this virus belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family. This virus is a contagious virus that spread through both direct and indirect contact.
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Mainly Hepatitis B virus spread through the body secretion such as blood, semen, saliva, vaginal fluid and, CSF. It clearly gives the meaning that Hepatitis B spread through close contact such as Sexual intercourse, having an unscreened transfusion.
Is hepatitis B is curable?
There is no specific treatment against acute hepatitis B. but chronic hepatitis needs certain types of antiviral drugs with keeping an eye on symptoms informed by the patient of hepatitis B. Other than this Hepatitis can be prevented with the help of Vaccination.
Is hepatitis B preventable?
Yes, hepatitis B is preventable. Vaccines can prevent Hepatitis B and also by keeping diet such as:
- Use fresh fruits and juices regularly
- Use boiled water for drinking.
- Avoid raw food and barely cooked food
- Avoid the use of drugs without a prescription from a doctor.
Conclusion and Doctors Recommendation:
Hepatitis B is one of the dangerous hepatitis types of virus that have very severe symptoms once the virus starts its replication. This virus causes liver cancer and in 2015 the estimated death due to Hepatitis B was 8.7 Million people estimated by WHO. Doctors also give serious recommendations that it is not necessary that to have hepatitis for diagnose. This means that they always say that you have to do screening of your blood twice in 6 months even you don’t have any symptoms of hepatitis B.
Scientists observed that the count of hepatitis B deaths drastically get down just because the vaccination and the antiviral therapy were timely introduced. Yet exerts give some of the basic awareness about hepatitis and other liver-associated diseases. CDC also working very efficiently on reporting hepatitis B cases and they also found that hepatitis B and Hepatitis C both are now less common yet they are working on birth dose programs and documentation of the impact of hepatitis B vaccination.