What is Hepatitis B? how do we fight it?

Hepatitis is used to denote inflammation of the liver. In this disease the liver become inflamed because of of infection,immune system problem (can be a disorder of immune system), exposure to alcohol, certain medications, toxins, or poisons.

* Hepatitis B is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). The infection cause by HBV has 2 phases: 1). acute. 2)chronic.

Acute hepatitis B occurs shortly after exposure to the virus.This can be very severe, life-threatening form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis.

Chronic (means from long time infection)hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 month. If the infection becomes chronic, it may never go away completely hence mor problems in treating the same.

HBV infection is one of the most important causes of infectious hepatitis.

The liver is an importantl organ of the body that has ability to regenerate itself i.e., can cure itself.

Hepatitis B Causes

Mode of transmission

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from one person to another via blood so blood is the carrier for this virus..

when bodily fluids of infected person come in direct contact with the broken skin or a mucous membrane for example in the mouth, genital organs, or rectum of an uninfected person.

Chances of getting infected with HBV virus is even more among:-

people who have multiple sex partners,

sex with a person infected with HBV,

People with other sexually transmitted diseases,

People who inject drugs with shared needle,

through blood product (transfusions),

kidney disease (who have undergone dialysis),

Health care workers who are stuck with needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood (now,ths is bery dangerous as i have seen a couple doctor who get this virus due this reason),

from mothers (in case when mother is a carrier)

Treatment

Because no cure has been found for hepatitis B, treatment is aimed at decreasing the ability of the virus to multiply, decreasing inflammation and damage to the liver, and increasing the immune system's ability to fight the virus.

Treatment can be started with antiviral agents specific agains HBV virus, interferons etc

for more information consult your physician.