Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic inflammation of the liver. Worldwide, hepatitis B is very widespread. Hepatitis B can be fatal. Vaccination is an important preventive measure.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. The incidence of hepatitis B varies widely from country to country, but worldwide hepatitis B is very widespread, over 780,000 people die annually as a result of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, both of which are life-threatening conditions.

Causes of hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus is found in the blood and body fluids of people who are infected, and infection therefore occurs through blood or sexual contact. In rare cases, the virus can also be transmitted via saliva. Examples of factors that increase the risk of infection with hepatitis B are:

• Contact with blood, for example the sharing of syringes (which makes injection drug addicts extra vulnerable), stabbing accidents (for example healthcare personnel who stick themselves on the tip of a syringe during their professional practice) and unsafe blood transfusion

• Unprotected sex

• From mother to child during pregnancy or at birth

Symptoms of hepatitis B

It usually takes between 1-6 months from when you are infected until you experience symptoms. 70% of all adults and 90% of children under the age of 5 get no symptoms (asymptomatic infection), while others can get very serious illness. Examples of symptoms of hepatitis B:

• Flu symptoms with fever.

• Weakness, fatigue.

• Decreased appetite, weight loss.

• Muscle and joint pain.

• Stomach complaints such as diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pain.

• Light stools and dark urine.

• Jaundice (the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow).

The symptoms of the acute illness usually go away within 1-3 months, but the weakness can persist for a longer time. Jaundice, light stools and dark urine often come when you start to feel better, and affect approx. 1 in 5 people. Severe liver failure occurs in approx. 1%.

Chronic hepatitis B infection

Between 3-5% of all those infected with hepatitis B become chronic carriers of the virus. Chronic carriers are infectious for the rest of their lives. Chronic carriers can develop liver damage over many years, which can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Others may become healthy carriers or develop chronic liver inflammation.

Good advice for preventing hepatitis B

• Avoid contact with blood.

• Use a condom.

• Avoid sharing syringes and needles.

Treatment of hepatitis B

The purpose of the treatment is to prevent further spread of the hepatitis B virus and to treat the chronic carrier state. Acute hepatitis B usually requires no treatment, but in severe cases, one is admitted to hospital. However, since the function of the liver is impaired, one must be careful with the consumption of alcohol and other liver-damaging substances.

Hepatitis B (mainly in chronic hepatitis) can be treated with drugs that affect the immune system. Such treatment is a long-term process and not everyone recovers.

If you have been exposed to infection or possible infection with the hepatitis B virus, you can receive treatment with a type of vaccine. Hepatitis B antibodies can also be given, these should be given within 48 hours after being exposed to infection. If a longer time has passed, a vaccine may be given instead.