Hepatitis B: Beware of the Killer Virus

Hepatitis B is an ailment caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The virus infection takes place through blood and other body fluids i.e. semen, vaginal discharges, open sores, breast milk, and saliva. The infection may be acute (short duration) or chronic (longer terms). Hepatitis ("serum hepatitis") means inflammation of the liver.

Virus Affects Billions of people

According to wikipedia HBV has 'caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China and various other parts of Asia'. The report further states that about one third of the population (two billion individuals) in the world are suffering from hepatitis B infection. Another alert warns that there are 350 million chronic carriers of HBV.

Chronic Careers: You are at Risk

Most of the individuals infected by HBV are able to combat with their infection and get cured from their acute infection. But very few infected adults become chronic and they are termed as chronic carriers. Chronic Hepatitis B is less likely to be cured completely and in certain individuals it may lead to cirrhosis or scarring, liver cancer and as a result end up with failure of the liver. Be sure that Hepatitis B is preventable by vaccination. (eMedicineHealth)

Other Viruses

Other than Hepatitis B virus there are several viruses i.e. Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, Hepatitis A, C, D and E that infect the liver causing acute or chronic liver inflammation.

Liver is Your Precious Organ

Liver is the precious organ that is required to be always active to perform very vital functions. This organ converts and stores excess sugar into glycogen. It also disintegrates proteins into amino acids. It is also responsible for converting fat in its simpler forms for later use. People keep comparing your liver with the bio-chemical plant, since it synthesizes numerous enzymes and hormones. The yellow pigment called bile is secreted from your liver. Bile is responsible for most of your body metabolism. Your liver filters many known and unknown toxins i.e. alcohol, drugs, steroids etc. It safeguards blood vessels, heart, kidneys and brain from getting affected by toxic substances i.e. alcohol and excess of steroidal drugs. Your liver is blessed with an incredible ability to fight against all these toxins or those wastes produced in the body as a result of various chemical reactions and heal by itself. However it can only heal by itself until it is infected with fatal HBV infection.

Infection

The infection pattern of HBV is similar to HIV. Most likely pattern of infection is through the exchange of body fluids. The possible transmission may result due to un-protected sex; contact with HBV infected syringe needles, 'vertical transmission' or transmission from mother to infant during pregnancy and delivery and so on. Be sure that HBV infection will neither occur through kissing or coughing or sneezing nor through food or water.

Symptoms

You will develop HBV symptoms with in a span of 30 to 180 days. Your physician may get mislead and judge the symptoms as flu. You will also develop fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever, and frequent dehydration, painful symptoms over the body, jaundice with yellow eyes, body itching, dark urine and pain around your abdominal region. Most of the symptoms may be present and few of them may be absent.

Diagnosis

Your physician may diagnose the HBV infection by initial physical examination itself and may confirm the infection by prescribing repeated blood tests. In case of severity of the condition he may call for biopsy of the liver.

Treatment

There are anti-viral treatment in both conventional and indigenous system medicines i.e. idea and aired. Chronic infections need hospitalized treatment. Biopsy, ultrasound and CT scanning may present better picture about the severity of the infection. Some times complex surgical procedures are even recommended.

Vaccination

Hepatitis B vaccine has proved its effectiveness and safety. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended to all infants. The dosage recommended is three or four separate doses along with normal immunization schedules. It is also recommended to vaccinate all children aged between 3 and 18. The adults should make it a point to get them vaccinated

Source:

1) eMedicineHealth - Hepatitis B
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hepatitis_b/article_em.htm

2) I Am Your Liver: The Most Faithful Servant by Muthusamy R
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1076795/i_am_your_liver_the_most_faithful_servant.html

3) Wikipedia - Hepatitis B - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B