Hello everybody it's your favourite health blogger Emmanuel (Emmylo) here again.
Few days ago, a friend of mine approached me looking worried to enquire more about hepatitis B.
He said his best and closest friend just tested hepatitis B positive. And he is worried because he too might be infected.
The first thing I did was to counsel him not to be worried and to go for blood test (diagnosis) to ascertain if he is positive or negative.
But this dude still look worried this prompted me to ask why he is worried.
Funnily his answer was that hepatitis B is a deadly disease that can result to victim's death in a week time. This made me laugh the hell out of him.
But come to think of it, most of us must have heard of hepatitis B but don't really know much about it just like my good friend.
Today's post will focus on hepatitis B.
Here we will answer few questions about hepatitis B to give us an insight of what hepatitis B is.
What is hepatitis B ?
Hepatitis B is an infectious viral disease of the liver, which can result to liver damage and eventually death.
Most times adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better (acute hepatitis B). Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection (chronic hepatitis B).
Babies and young children are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is often asymptomatic (not having symptoms) in the initial stage. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu.
What causes hepatitis B ?
Hepatitis B is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). It's spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person.
You may get hepatitis B if you
- Have unprotected sex with an infected person.
-Share sharp objects like needles (used for injecting drugs), razor blades with an infected personn
- Get a tattoo or piercing with tools that weren't sterilized.
- Share personal items like toothbrush with an infected person.
Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during delivery.
Hepatitis B cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B ?
Because hepatitis B is often asymptomatic (no symptoms) at the early stage, many people with hepatitis B don't know they have it.
Hepatitis B is more symptomatic in the late stages.
However, common symptoms associated with hepatitis B include:
- Feeling very tired or fatigue.
- Mild fever
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Jaundice (yellowish eyes and skin)
- Nausea
- Tan coloured stool.
You may also like to read How to purify your liver
How is hepatitis B diagnosed ?
Hepatitis B can be diagnosed through blood test.
A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have the hepatitis B virus now or if you had it in the past.
Liver biopsy (obtaining a tiny liver tissue tissue for examination) can also be carried out if your doctor thinks you may have liver damage from hepatitis B.
Is hepatitis B treatable ?
YES hepatitis B can be treated.
In most cases, hepatitis B disappears on its own. You can as well relieve your symptoms at home by
- Resting,
- Eating healthy foods,
- Drinking plenty of water, and
- Avoiding alcohol and drugs.
Also, find out from your doctor what medications (including herbal products) to avoid, because some can make liver damage caused by hepatitis B worse.
You can also check Harmful effects of refined sugar
The treatment for chronic hepatitis B depends on stage of your infection and whether you have liver damage.
Most people with chronic hepatitis B can live active, full lives by taking good care of themselves and getting regular medical checkups.
There are medicines for chronic hepatitis B. But you still need to work with your doctor to decide if medicine is right for you.
Is hepatitis B preventable ?
YES hepatitis B can be prevented.
The spread or transmission of hepatitis B can prevented through:
- Having protected sex via use of condom.
- Not sharing sharp objects like needles and razor blades.
- Not sharing personal items like toothbrushes.
- Don't get a tattoo, or make the used needles are sterile.
However, hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. Adults at risk and all babies, children, and teenagers should be vaccinated.
Having hepatitis B is not a death sentence, the best thing to do if you have it, is to work closely with your doctor.
And if you don't know your hepatitis B status hmmmm better go for your hepatitis B test now the earlier the better. Because your chances of survival is dependent on the stage of the infection and whether you have liver damage.
Thank you have a nice day and remain blessed.
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