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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B can cause acute and chronic conditions in patients. If you have entered the chronic phase, this disease can endanger the lives of those who experience it. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis B depression can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure.

Hepatitis B is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are not felt immediately and some do not even appear. Because of this, many people do not realize that they have been infected. This virus usually develops for 1 to 5 months from exposure until the first symptoms appear.


Some common symptoms of hepatitis B include:

  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Pain in the lower abdomen.
  • Yellow pain (visible from yellowing skin and white eyes).
  • Symptoms such as cold, such as fatigue, body aches and headaches.

How to transmit hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can spread through blood and body fluids, such as sperm and vaginal fluid. Some methods of transmission usually include:

  • Sexual contact. For example, changing partners and having sex without safety devices.
  • Distribute syringes. For example, use syringes that are contaminated with blood from patients with hepatitis B.
  • Accidental contact with a needle. For example, health workers (paramedics) who often handle human blood.
  • Mother and baby Pregnant women can transmit the disease to their babies during labor.


Diagnosis of hepatitis B

The diagnosis of hepatitis B is made through a series of blood tests, namely antigen and antibody tests against the hepatitis B virus, as well as blood tests to determine liver function. .

There are three types of antigenic and anti-hepatitis B antibodies: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), main hepatitis B antigen (HbcAg) and anti-hepatitis B. antigen surface hepatitis (anti-HBsAg). Each of these tests has a different function and will be explained in more detail in the Diagnostics section.

Liver function tests are done to look for other possible liver diseases. Indeed, the symptoms of hepatitis B often resemble other diseases, especially liver disorders. During this test, we will see whether there is an increase in liver enzymes, which indicates that your heart is under pressure or experiencing certain disorders.

Acute and chronic hepatitis B

There are two types of hepatitis B: acute (short term) and chronic (long term). Acute infections are usually experienced by adults. If you suffer from acute hepatitis B, your immune system can usually get rid of the virus from your body and you will recover in a few months.

Chronic hepatitis B occurs when the virus stays in the body for more than six months. This type of hepatitis B is more common in infants and children. Children who are infected with the virus at birth have a four to five times higher risk of contracting hepatitis B than babies infected with infants.

No less than 20% of adults affected by this virus can be diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. Patients with chronic hepatitis B can transmit the virus even without symptoms. According to WHO research, about 3 out of 10 people with chronic hepatitis B will have cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a chronic or long-term liver injury that causes liver damage. The development of a disease that slowly leads to the replacement of healthy tissue with damaged tissue. The function of the liver in processing nutrients, hormones, drugs and poisons produced by the body will slow down.

Hepatitis B treatment

There is no specific step in the treatment of hepatitis B. The goal of treating this condition is to reduce the symptoms associated with painkillers, as well as maintaining the daily comfort and nutritional balance of the patient.

Meanwhile, the treatment of chronic hepatitis B depends on the severity of infection in the liver. Treatment of this disease consists of using drugs that inhibit the production of viruses and prevent damage to the liver.
Vaccine and prevention of hepatitis B

An effective step in preventing hepatitis B is to give a vaccine. In Indonesia, the hepatitis B vaccine is included as a mandatory vaccine in vaccination. The vaccine is administered three times: at the birth of a child, at 1 month of age and at 3 to 6 months of age. However, adults of all ages are also encouraged to receive the hepatitis B vaccine, especially if they are at high risk of contracting hepatitis B. Examples include:

  • People who have more than one sexual partner.
  • People who inject drugs or have sex with injection drug users.
  • Health workers (paramedics) who may be exposed to the hepatitis B virus.
  • People who live at home with people with hepatitis B.
  • Patients with chronic liver disease.
  • Patients with kidney disease.

The hepatitis B test also applies to pregnant women. If the mother has this condition, the baby must receive the vaccine at birth (12 hours after giving birth) to prevent transmission from mother to child. Other steps to reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis B include:

  • Stop or don't use illegal drugs.
  • Avoid sharing items such as toothbrushes, earrings, or shavers.
  • Be careful when you want to stab or say the body.
  • Do not have sex without safety devices unless you think your partner does not have hepatitis B or other sexually transmitted diseases.

If you have been in contact with people with hepatitis B in the past 24 hours, get medical help immediately. The risk of transmission of this disease can be reduced by giving hepatitis B immunoglobulin injections. This is a drug solution that contains antibodies to fight the hepatitis B virus.

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