It is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks the liver of the human body.
This virus has been around the world since the Bronze Age. Their evidence was found in 4,500-year-old human remains. According to a 2018 study, the viral named genomes found using 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 became 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 at the beginning, within six months after someone comes into contact with the virus. It is a short-lived and curable disease. Some people with it have a mild illness and some even have no symptoms.
2. Chronic hepatitis B virus
This is a long-term illness. The virus that is present in the body for more than six months is called chronic hepatitis B virus. It leads to various serious problems like inflammation, fatal liver cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver. Treatment can eliminate the disease or it can slow the progress of the disease.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Acute hepatitis B (short-term hepatitis) rarely has symptoms, so you will hardly notice any symptoms in children younger than 5 years old with 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 color discharge
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Tired
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Belly bread
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Bread set
Symptoms may not show for one to seven months after becoming infected. Even chronic hepatitis doesn’t always have symptoms. But with a blood test, you can easily find out if 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 transmitted by coughing and sneezing. Some ways to spread are:
1. Sexual contact
When people come into sexual contact with someone who is already infected with the hepatitis virus, it enters the body through blood, semen, vaginal excretion, and saliva.
2. Share syringes and needles
Using syringes and needles contaminated with infected blood.
3. Mother to son
The virus can easily be 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 increase if:
* Having unprotected sexual contact with multiple sexual partners or someone who already has this disease.
* Share needles and syringes.
* Come into contact with a person who is chronically infected with HIV
* Traveling where the HBV infection rate is high
Treatment
1. Acute hepatitis B
For this, you may not need any treatment. Just rest, good nutrition, fluids and something medicines for hepatitis B like Barracuda it will be necessary to fight the virus.
2. Chronic hepatitis B
In this case, you may need treatment to fight 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.