A serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is called hepatitis B. In most cases, this is a short-term infection (also known as acute) that lasts roughly 6 months. However, some people may experience a chronic (long-lasting) form of this infection, which increases the risk of other health problems including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and even cancer of the liver.
Furthermore, approximately all people recover completely despite severe symptoms. In addition, children and infants are more prone to develop a chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
To prevent this infection doctors usually recommend vaccines. In any case, some people need medicines no matter acute or chronic hepatitis B they have. In severe cases, people require a liver transplant. Discuss with your healthcare professional if you suspect you have HBV.
Symptoms
The symptoms range from mild to severe and appear usually within 4 months after exposure to the virus. While some people do not experience any symptoms, others can notice symptoms after 2 weeks they get infected. Check below some hepatitis B symptoms:
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
Immediately contact your healthcare professional if you know that you were exposed to the virus. If you get treatment within 24 hours after exposure to the virus you may reduce the risk of infection.
Causes
This liver infection is caused by HBV and it can pass from one person to another through blood, semen, and other fluids of the body. However, it cannot spread to other people through coughing or sneezing. Check below the most common ways that the virus can spread:
- Sharing of needles – This virus can easily spread to other people through syringes and needles because they may contain infected blood. It usually occurs when sharing equipment is used to administer illegal drugs.
- Accidental needlesticks – This condition is a concern for healthcare workers and sometimes they may contact infected human blood accidentally.
- During pregnancy – Pregnant women with hepatitis B can pass the virus to their babies during delivery. However, in most cases, babies are vaccinated which prevents the infection. Discuss with your healthcare professional to get tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant.
- Sexual contact – If you engage in sexual activity with an infected person, you may get this virus. However, the virus spread to sexual partners through body fluids including vaginal fluid, saliva, blood, and others.
What is the Difference between Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B?
People can experience different forms of hepatitis B including acute (short-term) and chronic (long-lasting).
- Acute Hepatitis B Infection – People with this hepatitis B form usually recover fully within 6 months after they become infected. Moreover, approximately all people with this type of hepatitis experience an acute form.
- Chronic Hepatitis B Infection – This hepatitis form lasts at least 6 months and sometimes it may be lifelong. Those who suffer from the chronic form of this infection also can experience serious health conditions. Including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and others.
Children and infants are more likely to develop a chronic form of HBV infection. Furthermore, sometimes, chronic hepatitis B infection is not identified until liver damage becomes too serious and causes severe symptoms.
Risk Factors
Anyone can get infected with this virus through blood, semen, or other body fluids. However, the risk of getting HBV increases in the following cases. Examples include:
- Sharing of needles or syringes
- Men engage in sexual contact with other men
- Living with an infected person
- Children and infants are at increased risk of getting HBV
- Hepatitis C or HIV infection
- Dialysis treatment
- Use medicines that weaken the immune system (such as chemotherapy)
- Travel to certain regions where hepatitis B is common (including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Eastern Europe)
- People who have been in prison
- Work in places where are exposed to human blood
- People born from an infected pregnant woman
- Have multiple sexual partners and have sex without condoms
Complications
Serious health problems (complications) can occur in people with chronic HBV infection. For example:
- Cirrhosis – This is a condition that causes swelling (inflammation) of the liver, which can lead to scarring of the tissue.
- Liver cancer
- Liver failure – This is a condition in which the liver does not work properly and people with this condition usually require a liver transplant.
- Increased level of HBV – Sometimes, people with hepatitis B may have low virus levels, or even it cannot be found by tests. However, if the virus begins to multiply itself quickly, tests may find the virus or spot the rise. This process is known as reactivation of the virus and can lead to liver damage or even failure.This reactivation often impacts people with a weakened immune system or those who administer medicines that weaken the immune system (such as high-dose corticosteroids or chemotherapy).
Those who suffer from hepatitis B also may experience kidney disease or blood vessel inflammation.
How to Prevent Hepatitis B?
The primary way to prevent infection caused by HBV remains vaccination. It is given in two shots one month apart. Sometimes, doctors may give you three or four shots over 6 months. The amount of shots you will get depends on the hepatitis B type you have.
The following people must get the hepatitis B vaccine. For example:
- Children and adolescents who do not get the vaccine at birth
- Newborns
- Those who work or live in centers for people with developmental disabilities
- People who live with an infected person
- Emergency and healthcare workers who may come in close contact with infected people
- Everyone who experiences sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- People who are planning to travel, especially in places where hepatitis B is common
- Those who experience end-stage kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or who use illegal drugs
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers usually begin the hepatitis B diagnosis with questions about symptoms and medical history. They can also perform some tests to confirm the condition. These include
- Blood tests – These tests help doctors identify the virus, determine the stage of hepatitis you have, and see if you are immune to the virus or not.
- Liver ultrasound – This test (transient elastography) uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the liver. It helps to see liver damage caused by the infection.
- Liver biopsy – During this test doctors will take a small sample of the liver and send it to the laboratory for testing. It helps to determine damage to the liver.
Treatment
Acute HBV Infection Treatment
Commonly, people with this hepatitis B type do not need treatment because the virus goes away on its own. However, doctors may recommend:
- Plenty of rest and fluids
- Proper nutrition
- Regularly monitoring the body while fighting the infection
People with severe symptoms caused by infection may need antiviral medicines or a hospital stay.
Chronic HBV Infection Treatment
Approximately all people with this form of hepatitis B infection require treatment for the rest of their lives. Physicians usually prescribe treatment depending on the following factors. For example:
- If the virus causes inflammation or scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- You have other infections including hepatitis C or HIV infection
- Weakened immune system due to medicine or disease
The following treatment is usually recommended by doctors to reduce the spreading of the virus and prevent liver disease. Examples include:
- Antiviral medications – There are many antiviral medications that reduce the ability of the virus to damage the liver. For example Entecavir, Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Adefovir.
- Interferon shots – This is a man-made substance that helps the body fight infection. Physicians usually prescribe peginterferon alfa-2a. However, you may experience serious adverse reactions including breathing problems, depression, vomiting, and others.
- Liver transplant – This treatment option is usually recommended by doctors when damage to the liver is serious and medicines or interferon shots do not help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do people get HBV?
The virus usually spreads to other people through body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and others. It also may spread if you are sharing syringes or needles used to inject illegal drugs or from mother to baby at birth.
Is hepatitis B a sexually transmitted disease?
Yes, but it spreads in two different ways. For instance, some people get the virus from surfaces and through body fluids.
What happens if you leave hepatitis B untreated?
While most people do not experience any serious health problems, some of them may notice some complications. For example scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and other health illnesses. Ask your doctor if you have any other questions.
