Hepatitis B
One of the types of the hepatitis is hepatitis B which is the inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis B virus. Major difference of this type with the hepatitis A is that the later is not chronic while this type is chronic. Chronic hepatitis means that some peoples’ bodies do not have capability of getting rid of it completely, so; it becomes chronic and goes on with them. An average of 2 billion people is affected by HBV and among them 250 million do have chronic carriers of the virus. The major parts of the victims of this are the same as those of other types of the hepatitis. Asia and Africa have been on the verge of epidemic of hepatitis B while in China it has been endemic.
The symptoms of all the hepatitis are more or less the same but here the symptoms may not be clear and you may not be able to notice any change or indication. Usually this is the case with the chronic patients. They may not even feel themselves sick and may come to know quite after a long time. Such people are unable to know timely that they are suffering with hepatitis B but they can be the source of transforming the virus to other people thus making them infected too.
The other common symptoms include fatigue, fever and feelings of nausea. The symptoms common to notice is the changed color of urine. Usually it is due to the removal of the bile from the blood. Bile is a secretion of the liver and when it is removed from blood, it is excreted in urine which changes its color. The more obvious symptom is turning of the skin in pale. The skin color becomes yellowish and the redness goes down. Appetite level goes down and it leads to the fastest weight loss. The eyes are found in the socket with the whitish and yellow shade.
the disease can be transferred through blood transfusion and by the use of those things which are used by the people who are suffering with this disease. It can be transferred through having sexual contact with the infected person. The virus is also transferred through other body fluids. Shared use of common things can also be the reason of the transfer of the virus.
Those who work at health care centers or at medical places where surgical instruments are frequently used are more prone to the disease and have high risk factor. While those who travel to the areas where the disease is common like Asia and Central America do bring the virus along when are returned. People who live in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers also have danger of being attacked by the virus of hepatitis B.
Some simple steps can be taken in order to reduce the danger and risk of the disease. First of all, the passengers who travel internationally should use only carbonated water for brushing teeth. They should not use the open food or the food offered by the air services. Water should be boiled before drinking. Boiling for one minute kills all types of the germs. Food should never be taken from the food vendors and should be used in the fresh or in sealed pack. When food is heated, it should be eaten right away and does not let to be polluted again. After coming from washroom, hands should be instantly washed. If you come in contact with a person who has this disease, you must wash yourself after the contact is over. All tools must be sterilized after use. When going to a public parlor or a health care center, you must emphasize on the use of new surgical instruments or should ask your practitioner to make sure if they are sterilized. Water and food must be kept away from the dirty places and must be covered.
If looking at these precautionary steps, it can be noticed that all is concerned with the basic principles of hygiene. So, the need is of the general awareness in the public for the use of individual and personal tools where possible. Government should take the responsibility of educating people on national level.
Unlike hepatitis A, this type is dangerous and can be threatening. For the diagnosis, blood test is prescribed. A positive result means that you have active virus for hepatitis B.
As far as treatment is concerned, there is no hard and fast treatment for hepatitis B. a complete bed rest is recommended and careful monitoring of the liver is taken up. The fatty foods can cause vomiting because fats are needed to be digested by liver so; fatty foods are advised not to be taken by patient. Herbal medications are more helpful and help patient to recover soon.
In very severe cases, the liver stops functioning. In such cases liver is transplanted. It happens in very rare cases. Patients with chronic diseases should avoid alcohol and the drugs. They must check and visit their doctors or nurses regularly for having the regular examine of the disease.
Vaccines are available against the virus of the disease. These vaccines are the protective against the multiplication of the virus in the body. The complete course of vaccine takes 6 months but it starts working within 6-8 days after the first dose is taken. Once the person has an attack of the viral disease of this type of hepatitis; it is very rare for him to have this again in life. With the coming awareness, many people take vaccines as precautionary step and make themselves secure from the threat of the disease.
The basic awareness must be given to public by the government of the state. This is the basic and primary way of reducing and kicking of the disease away. It is the duty of a state’s government to educate people and let them know how they can defend themselves against these chronic and viral diseases.
By: Ammarah Khan
