CONDITION
Chronic Viral Hepatitis B Infection
Introduction
Hepatitis B is a serious health condition that can lead to serious illness including cancer, cirrhosis and liver failure. Most people get it from mother to child’s transmission, but you also also get it by coming into contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. The best way to prevent the virus is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
Causes of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause serious liver disease.
Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause serious liver disease. It spreads when blood, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person enter the body of another person. This may occur during birth, through sexual contact and other close personal contact, or through sharing needles with someone who has hepatitis B. Needle stick injury is one of the common cause of transmission among healthcare workers in US. Fortunately, most children in Singapore are vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth to protect them from getting this virus.
There’s no cure, but many people live symptom-free for decades.
The hepatitis B virus is a bloodborne pathogen, meaning it can be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. The virus can be transmitted via sexual contact, blood transfusions and shared needles.
It’s important to note that not all cases of chronic viral hepatitis B infection are diagnosed early on; some people remain symptom-free for years before realising they have it. Some patients with acute viral hepatitis B may develop jaundice, abdominal bloatedness, loss of appetite and malaise..
Most Carriers of chronic hepatitis B are asymptomatic, some patients develop chronic liver disease and progressed into liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer if not undergo regular surveillance.
If you suspect that you have been infected with hepatitis B or know someone who has been infected but aren’t sure which type—then it’s important to see your doctor right away so they can determine whether additional treatment is necessary!
Treatment of Hepatitis B
There are several drugs available now to treat hepatitis B and some work better than others.
There are several drugs available now to treat hepatitis B and some work better than others. The most effective drugs include:
- Interferon alpha-2b, which is given by injection every week for a year;
- Peginterferon alfa-2a, which is given as an injection every two weeks for 48 weeks;
These drugs can help relieve symptoms of hepatitis B and prevent liver damage. However they are expensive and have side effects such as flu-like symptoms, depression or sleep disturbance. Thus over the last 10 years since the founding of newer high potency generation nucleoside analogues, interferon or peg-interferon therapy are becoming less common options to treat chronic hepatitis B due to the long duration of treatment, cost and side effects.
The current standard of care of treating chronic viral hepatitis are
- Entecavir
- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Tenofovir Alafenamide (The latest Tenofovir drugs)
If you are still using old anti viral drugs such as
- Lamivudine
- Adefovir
You may consider switching to a new generation antiviral due to the risk of viral breakthrough after 5-10 years of usage. Speak to ACORN Liver specialist for more information.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the virus is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease that can lead to lifelong health problems. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the vaccine, which is safe and effective. This is especially useful in Asian countries with high prevalence.
The vaccine is given in three doses over a period of six months, beginning at birth. It’s recommended for infants and children, as well as adults at risk of exposure (such as those living with someone who has hepatitis B). It is not too late to receive it as an adult.
Conclusion
Hepatitis B can be treated and prevented. The best way to prevent it is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. If you are exposed to the virus, then getting treatment as soon as possible will help protect your liver from damage and reduce your chances of developing chronic hepatitis B infection or another related condition such as cirrhosis or liver failure.
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