This viral infection affects many individuals of all ages. The Hepatitis B virus is the most widespread of the hepatitis viruses but there are many other viruses that can cause hepatitis.

What is Hepatitis B Infection?
Acute viral hepatitis B infection is a systemic viral infection that mainly affects the liver. It is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Although the majority of hepatitis B patients recover completely a small percentage develop chronic hepatitis and possible cirrhosis. Almost 25% of chronic hepatitis B patients die prematurely from the disease as a result of cirrhosis or liver cancer.

How do you get Hepatitis B?
You can get hepatitis B by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. For example, you can become infected by having sex with an infected person. Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection. A baby can get hepatitis B from an infected mother during childbirth. Hepatitis B is NOT spread through food or water or by casual contact.

Who can become infected with the Hepatitis B virus?
The hepatitis B virus can affect individuals of all ages. Your risk of getting the virus is markedly increased if you do the following:
Have sex with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus;
Have sex with more than one partner or if you are a man having sex with another man;
Use intravenous illegal drugs
Has a job that involves contact with human blood

If you think you are at risk for hepatitis B infection talk with your doctor about getting the hepatitis B vaccine.

How do you know that you have Hepatitis B infection?
You may have hepatitis B infection and do not have any symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms they may include the following:
Your eyes or skin may turn yellow (jaundice)
You may lose your appetite
You may lose weight (2.5 to 5 kg)
You may feel tired and unable to work
You may have nausea, vomit, have a fever or have vague pains in the body.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms suggestive of Hepatitis B infection you should see your doctor for a complete medical examination and evaluation. Various blood tests are available to make the diagnosis of Hepatitis B infection. All pregnant women as well as all blood donors in Anguilla are now screened for hepatitis B infection. These tests have identified individuals who are carriers.

Who is a carrier of hepatitis B virus?
In a small number of cases people who are infected with the hepatitis B virus never recover fully from the infection. They carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives. These individuals are then termed as carriers for hepatitis B.

Is there a cure for Hepatitis B?
There is no cure for Hepatitis B infection. This is why prevention is so important. Hepatitis B vaccine is the best protection against hepatitis B virus. As this is a sexually transmitted infection individuals should have sexual behaviours that will decrease their risks of getting this infection.

Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the typical acute viral hepatitis B infection. Hospitalisation may be required for making the correct diagnosis, for clinically severe illness and for the elderly patient.

Hepatitis B and pregnancy
All pregnant women should be tested for the hepatitis B virus early in their pregnancy. If the blood test is positive, the baby should receive vaccine along with another injection (hepatitis B immune globulin) at birth.
If a pregnant woman has the hepatitis B virus in her blood she can give hepatitis B to her baby. Babies who get hepatitis B infection at birth may have the virus for the rest of their lives.

Vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination is available for certain individuals. These include persons whose jobs expose them to human blood: example, health care professionals and persons whose behaviour puts them at high risk for Hepatitis B infection.

Conclusion
Hepatitis B infection is a viral infection that affects many individuals. The majority of suffers of this infection make a full recover but in a small number of patients there are some serious complications after having this infection. Hepatitis B infection is a sexually transmitted infection. As there is no cure for this infection, attempts at preventing it from developing in the first place must continue.

Dr. Brett Hodge

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