It is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks the liver of the human body.
This virus has been present in the world since the Bronze Age. Its evidence was found in 4,500-year-old human remains. According to a 2018 study, the virally named genomes found by the shotgun sequencing method became one of the oldest to be recovered from vertebrate samples. Some older hepatitis viruses were found to still infect humans, while some have become extinct. This refutes the claim that the hepatitis B virus originated in the new world.
In 1967, Dr. Blumberg and his colleagues found the virus. They discovered the blood test, which was used to detect it. In 1969, Dr. Blumberg and his team invented the hepatitis B vaccine.
Types of hepatitis B
There are two types of hepatitis B virus: acute and chronic.
1. Acute hepatitis B virus
This happens early, within six months after someone comes into contact with the virus. It is a short-term disease and is curable. Some people with this have a mild illness and some even have no symptoms at all.
2. Chronic hepatitis B virus
This is a long-term disease. Virus present for more than six months in the body is called chronic hepatitis B virus. It leads to several serious problems like inflammation, fatal liver cancer, and liver cirrhosis. Treatment can eliminate the disease or it can slow its progress.
Hepatitis B symptoms
Acute hepatitis B (short-term hepatitis) rarely shows symptoms, so you will hardly notice any symptoms in children under 5 who have hepatitis.
Some notable symptoms are:
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Jaundice
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Fever
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cloudy stomach
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light-colored discharge
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Tired
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belly bread
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bread stamp
Symptoms may not show up for one to seven months after infection. Even chronic hepatitis does not always show symptoms. But with a blood test, you can easily find out whether it is chronic or acute.
Causes of hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B disease. This virus moves from one body to another through semen, blood, and fluids. But unlike the coronavirus, it is not spread by coughing and sneezing. Some forms of diffusion are:
1. sexual contact
When people have sexual contact with someone who is already infected with the hepatitis virus, it enters the body through blood, semen, vaginal discharge, and saliva.
2. Sharing syringes and needles
Using syringes and needles contaminated with infected blood.
3. Mother to son
The virus can be easily passed from pregnant women to their children who already have hepatitis B. It is best to see a doctor if you have hepatitis B but want to get pregnant.
Risk factor’s
The risk of becoming infected with the virus may be increased if you:
*Having unprotected sexual contact with multiple sexual partners or someone who already has this disease.
*Sharing needles and syringes
* Coming into contact with a person with chronic HIV infection
*Traveling where the rate of HBV infection is high
Treatment
1. Acute hepatitis B
For this, you may not need any treatment. Just rest, good food, liquids and something hepatitis B medications such as Barracuda will be needed to combat the virus.
2. Chronic hepatitis B
Here, you may need treatment to combat virus-like drugs. An interferon injection is recommended for young people who do not want long-term treatment. A liver transplant is a good option for those whose liver is completely damaged.
