HEALTH SERIES #2 : HEPATITIS B

Today we are going to learn about a disease called hepatitis B. It's signs and symptoms, effects, prevention and treatment.

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Firstly we would define what hepatitis B is. Hepatitis B is an infectious disease that is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects the liver. For this disease, people most often do not develop any symptoms immediately thus during the initial infection. Others could also develop a quick onset of sickness with vomiting, yellowish skin, tiredness, dark urine and abdominal pain. Most often these symptoms last for some few weeks and then progresses into a more complicated form. It's very rare to see the initial infection resulting to death.

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Are we aware that when one gets infected with the hepatitis B virus it takes about 30 to 180 days for any of it's symptoms to begin manifesting itself. And also those who get infected with hepatitis B virus around their time of birth, 90% of them develop chronic hepatitis B whiles less than 10% of those infected after the age of five do. But we should note that most of those people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms. However, liver cancer and cirrhosis may eventually develop and these complications could result in the death of 15 to 20% of those with chronic hepatitis B disease.

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Furthermore, the hepatitis B disease as we know is caused by the hepatitis B virus and can only be diagnosed through blood test. Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluid. Also sexual intercourse with a hepatitis B patient can lead to hepatitis B viral transmission. But HEPATITIS B virus cannot be transmitted by; sharing eating utensils, holding hands, kissing, hugging, coughing, sneezing or breastfeeding.

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Again, the disease can only be diagnosed 30 to 60 days after exposure. Did we know that HEPATITIS B viral infection can progress to the development of jaundice. Interesting, it has been noted that ITCHY skin has been an indication of a possible symptoms of all hepatitis virus types. Across Europe, hepatitis B and C cause approximately 50% of hepatocellular carcinomas. Hepatitis B virus has been noted to be 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.

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Finally, HEPATITIS B is prevented by taking the HEPATITIS B vaccine shot. Most vaccine are given in three shot over a course of months. Also when one gets infected by the hepatitis B virus, it can be either treated with antiviral medication (interferon) or a liver transplant. Treatment of chronic HEPATITIS B is necessary to reduce risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Conclusion, hepatitis B virus is a very dangerous disease but it can be easily prevented with the help of the hepatitis B vaccine. So I advice us to go in for the hepatitis B vaccine shot today inorder to prevent ourselves from contracting the disease.

I have vaccinated, have you??

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@prince-opk