Hepatitis B Chronic Infection
Hepatitis B Chronic Infection
Hepatitis B is a serious and often life-threatening virus that attacks the liver and can cause chronic inflammation and scarring of the liver tissue. It is the most common chronic viral infection worldwide, with over 300 million people living with chronic hepatitis B worldwide. The virus is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It is estimated that 1.3 million people in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus.
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus can lead to serious health problems including cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and death. People with chronic hepatitis B infection can spread the virus to other people, even if they do not have any symptoms. It is important to get tested for hepatitis B infection to find out if you are infected or not.
Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis B
Most people with chronic hepatitis B infection do not have any symptoms. However, some people may experience fatigue, abdominal pain, joint pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In some cases, those with chronic hepatitis B may also develop jaundice, which causes a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.
Diagnosis of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B infection is typically made with a blood test that detects the hepatitis B virus in the blood. If the test is positive, additional tests may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of infection. These tests may include liver function tests, blood tests measuring levels of liver enzymes, and imaging tests such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection may involve medications known as antiviral drugs that can help control or suppress viral replication in the body. It is also important to take steps to reduce the risk of transmission, such as avoiding unprotected sexual contact and not sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia.
People with chronic hepatitis B infection should also be aware of the risk of developing liver cancer, and should speak with their doctor if they have any symptoms that may indicate cancer such as abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and jaundice. Regular screening with blood tests, ultrasounds, and/or CT scans may also be recommended.
Preventing the Spread of Chronic Hepatitis B
The best way to prevent the spread of chronic hepatitis B is to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of infected persons. Vaccination against the virus is also recommended, especially for people who are at an increased risk for infection such as healthcare workers, people with multiple sexual partners, and those who inject drugs.
If you have chronic hepatitis B, it is important to take steps to reduce your risk of transmitting the virus to others. This includes avoiding contact with the blood and body fluids of other people, practicing safe sex, and not sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia.