Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the HBV virus that causes inflammation in the liver, which can result in acute symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, joint pain or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood or bodily fluids, such as semen or vaginal secretions due to unprotected sexual intercourse, which makes hepatitis B a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The treatment of hepatitis B varies according to the stage of the disease, with rest, hydration and dietary care being recommended in acute hepatitis, while in chronic hepatitis treatment is normally carried out with medicines prescribed by a hepatologist, infectious disease specialist or clinician. general.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
The main initial symptoms of hepatitis B are:
- Low fever;
- Skin rashes;
- Joint and muscle pain;
- Excessive tiredness,
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Dor abdominal;
- Loss of appetite.
Symptoms, such as yellowish skin and eyes, dark urine and light stools, mean that the disease is developing and there is damage to the liver. Know how to identify all the symptoms of hepatitis B.
In chronic hepatitis B, most patients do not show any symptoms, but the virus remains in the body and can be transmitted in the same way.
The incubation period of the hepatitis B virus is 2 to 6 months, therefore, the signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis B may appear 1 to 3 months after contamination.
What can the hepatitis B virus cause?
The hepatitis B virus can cause direct toxic damage to the liver or provoke an immune system response that leads to liver inflammation.
In some cases, hepatitis B virus infection can become chronic and progress to cirrhosis of the liver. Understand what cirrhosis is and how to identify the symptoms.
Hepatitis B Symptom Test
To find out your risk of having hepatitis B, select the symptoms presented in the test below:
The hepatitis B symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a hepatologist, infectious disease specialist or general practitioner.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of hepatitis B is made by a hepatologist, infectious disease specialist or general practitioner through the evaluation of symptoms, health history, sexual and drug use history, profession, in addition to a physical examination.
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To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor must request blood tests to detect the presence of HBV in the circulation, as well as its quantity, these data being important so that the doctor can recommend treatment.
Tests for hepatitis B
To identify the presence of the hepatitis B virus in the blood, a search for the presence or absence of antigens (Ag) and antibodies (anti) in the blood is carried out, with the possible results being:
- HBsAg reactive or positive: hepatitis B virus infection;
- HBeAg reagent: high degree of replication of the hepatitis B virus, which means that the risk of virus transmission is greater;
- Anti-Hbs reagent: cure or immunity against the virus if the individual has been vaccinated against hepatitis B;
- Anti-HBC reagent: previous exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
In addition, blood tests may be indicated to assess liver function, such as TGO, TGP, GGT and bilirubin, for example. Find out more about tests that evaluate the liver.
Liver biopsy can also be used to assist in diagnosis, evaluate liver involvement, predict the evolution of the disease and the need for treatment.
Read too: Liver biopsy: what it is for, how it is done and recovery
How transmission happens
The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk contaminated with the virus.
The main ways of transmitting the hepatitis B virus are:
1. Horizontal transmission
Horizontal transmission involves direct contact with the blood and secretions of an infected person or the use of contaminated material, such as sharing syringes, needles and other instruments used for tattooing, acupuncture or piercings.
Sharing personal hygiene objects, such as razors or epilator blades and contaminated manicure or pedicure instruments, is also a way of transmitting hepatitis B.
Furthermore, unprotected sexual intercourse, whether vaginal, anal or oral, is also a form of transmission of hepatitis B, as the virus is present in the vaginal fluids, saliva or semen of an infected person, and is therefore considered an STI.
Read too: Sexually transmitted infections: top 10 STIs, treatment (and cure)
Although it can be transmitted through saliva, the B virus is generally not transmitted through kissing or sharing cutlery or glasses, as there must be an open wound in the mouth.
2. Vertical transmission
Vertical transmission is uncommon and occurs when the mother transmits the hepatitis B virus to the baby during natural birth or breastfeeding.
Read too: Hepatitis B during pregnancy: risks, vaccine and treatment
Types of hepatitis B
The main types of hepatitis B are:
- Acute hepatitis B: it is characterized by inflammation of the liver for a period of a few weeks to 6 months and elimination of the virus during this period;
- Chronic hepatitis B: It is characterized by the persistence of HBsAg in the blood for more than 6 months.
In the case of chronic hepatitis B, liver damage can occur and result in cirrhosis, which increases the risk of developing liver cancer. Know how to identify the symptoms of liver cancer.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of hepatitis B must be carried out under the guidance of a hepatologist, infectious disease specialist or general practitioner and normally involves rest, diet, hydration and not drinking alcoholic beverages.
If necessary, the doctor may recommend the use of medication to alleviate symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and headache, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment for chronic hepatitis B, in addition to not drinking alcohol and a low-fat diet, includes antiviral and immunomodulatory medications such as interferon and lamivudine to prevent irreversible liver damage, which may have to be taken for life. Find out more details about the treatment for hepatitis B.
Watch the following video on how to eat in case of hepatitis B to avoid further liver complications:
Is hepatitis B curable?
Acute hepatitis B can be cured spontaneously, in most cases, due to the body creating antibodies to eliminate the virus.
Read too: Understand when Hepatitis B has a cure
However, in some cases, hepatitis B can become chronic and the virus remains in the body for life.
However, with treatment the person can become a healthy chronic carrier, that is, they can contain the virus in their body, but not have any active liver disease, and in this case they do not have to take specific medications. Furthermore, patients with chronic hepatitis B can be cured after several years of treatment.
Hepatitis B prevention
To prevent hepatitis B you must:
- Take 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine;
- Use a condom in all sexual relations;
- Do not share personal objects, such as toothbrushes, razors or epilator blades and manicure or pedicure instruments;
- Do not share syringes or needles, or other sharp instruments.
Furthermore, if the person wants to get a tattoo, piercing or acupuncture, you must make sure that all materials are correctly sterilized.
Hepatitis B vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective way of preventing the disease and, therefore, must be taken immediately after birth, within the first 12 hours after birth, in the 2nd month and 6th month of the baby’s life, making a total of 3 doses.
Read too: Baby vaccination schedule 2024: from birth to 4 years
Adults who were not vaccinated as children can receive the vaccine, including pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy. Find out when it is recommended and how to get the hepatitis B vaccine.
The test that indicates the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine is Anti-Hbs, which becomes positive when the vaccine manages to activate protection against the virus.
