Hepatitis B – The Silent Killer
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person – not through casual contact. About two billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus.
What Is Hepatitis B?
The Hepatitis B virus silently attacks the liver and frequently causes severe liver damage and liver cancer. It enters the body by contact with infected blood and needles as well as through unsafe sex. Hepatitis is a general term meaning – inflammation of liver. Hepatitis can be caused by a variety of viruses eg. – Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, G.
More Facts On Hepatitis B
- HBV kills 700,000 to 1 million people every year worldwide.
- Every 30 to 45 seconds, one person dies from this vaccine-preventable disease.
- There are 8 to 10 times more people in world living with chronic HBV infection than with HIV/AIDS.
- Hepatitis B virus is more infectious than HIV.
- As many as 2 out of 3 chronically infected persons are not aware they have been infected.
How Does Hepatitis Affect The Liver?
The liver breaks down waste products in blood. When the liver is inflamed, it doesn’t do a good job of getting rid of waste products. One waste product in the blood, called bilirubin, makes the skin of a person who has hepatitis turn a yellow-orange color. This is called jaundice.
How Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?
- The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is to have protected sex and to avoid sharing needles.
- Hepatitis B vaccine offers good protection against Hepatitis B virus. The vaccine prevents both Hepatitis B virus infection & chronic diseases related to Hepatitis B.
- Most Hepatitis cases are acute, and the infection lasts 1 to 6 months, during that time the person is continually infectious. During infection period, alcohol and medications metabolized by the liver must be avoided and there should be no sexual activity to prevent transmission.
Can Hepatitis B Be Treated?
Prevention remains the mainstay. Rest and a diet high in protein and carbohydrates help the liver repair itself. Although 90-95 per cent of adults recover completely, 5-10 per cent develop into chronic cases of Hepatitis B. consult your doctor for complete information on prevention and treatment of Hepatitis B.
Read More Detailed Info About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment
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Guy Hogan | Jan 6, 2010 | Reply
I’ve always known about this disease and how deadly it can be. This article confirms how bad it can be.
Themax | Jan 6, 2010 | Reply
Ok I got it Sourv Thanks and happ new year!
Frances Lawrence | Jan 6, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for raising awareness, too few people know about this.
Fruit Sensation | Jan 6, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the health tips. Diseases like these have to be avoided at all costs. There are no joke, they kill.
AlmaG | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
Vaccination is indeed very important for prevention. Thanks
alc | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
Great and inmportant write thanks for sharing and getting the word out there!
Priyanka Bhowmick | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
it seems more infectious dan HIV… thnx for the infos
Petalm | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
Lots of info
devsir | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
Nice Article. I really liked the way you have presented your ideas. Hope the same kind of writing in future.
CA Johnson | Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
This is very interesting. Thanks for letting us know the ways to avoid Hepatitis B.
CHAN LEE PENG | Jan 8, 2010 | Reply
This is a terrible disease that can take away a precious life.
lillyrose | Jan 8, 2010 | Reply
Frightening disease, good to know.
PR Mace | Jan 10, 2010 | Reply
Well reserched article. Good job.
Moses Ingram | Jan 10, 2010 | Reply
A good write and very informative. Blessings.