In other articles on this website, we have talked about human immunodeficiency virus or HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) including its treatment and prevention such as condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). HIV, however, is not the only sexually transmitted infection that you should be aware of.
One of these is Hepatitis B, a liver disease that is infectious. Healthcare providers note thatHepatitis B is 50 to 100 times more contagious than HIV. The good news is there are vaccines available to prevent Hepatitis B transmission. In this article, we will discuss this disease, its symptoms, transmissions, as well as prevention and treatment.
An infectious liver disease, Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that is called the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, Hepatitis B can be “acute”, which means that they will experience a mild to severe illness within the first six months of exposure to the virus. Some people may recover from the acute infection, which means that they will become immune (and not get Hepatitis B again) and not spread the virus to others.
For other people, Hepatitis B can develop into a chronic infection. In this case, Hepatitis B will stay in their body and the virus can spread to other people. Hepatitis B may cause further complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B can spread from exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as semen, that is already infected with the virus. As a sexually transmitted infection, Hepatitis B can be transmitted when one sex partner is already infected with the virus.
Holding hands with people who are infected with Hepatitis B does not pose any harm for people who are not infected with the virus. Sharing eating utensils, hugging, sneezing, coughing, and kissing also do not put people who do not have Hepatitis B at risk of becoming infected with the virus.
Most people do not know when they are already infected with Hepatitis B, as they will usually have no symptoms even years after exposure to the virus. In some cases, people who have Hepatitis B will experience an infection that may be chronic, and last for six months or more. Hepatitis B symptoms may include one or more of the following:
There are vaccines available for those who wish to avoid getting infected with Hepatitis B. In addition, you can avoid any contamination with the virus by following some steps including:
Yes, there are. In fact, there are two types of vaccines that are currently available as tools for the prevention of Hepatitis B. The first is the Hepatitis B vaccine, which can protect you and loved ones from the Hepatitis B virus. There is also a combination vaccine that can provide protection from both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A.
According to research, PrEP can protect you from Hepatitis B infection so long as tests have confirmed that you have no pre-existing liver conditions. That being said, taking extra precautions such as using condoms and getting vaccinations remain the most recommended prevention tool for Hepatitis B.
While there are symptoms that Hepatitis B can develop, they will often visibly appear in later stages of the disease. The only way to determine your Hepatitis B status is by taking a blood test.
Treatments for people infected with Hepatitis B depend on the severity of their condition. Please consult with your doctor to determine whether you should be offered treatments.
Generally speaking, if your doctor has assessed that your immune system is too weak to handle the virus and your liver has been damaged by the virus, then they will offer you alternative treatments.
Unfortunately, while there are many ways to prevent the contraction of Hepatitis B, there is no cure once it has entered the body.
There are, however, treatments to keep the virus under control that prevent damage of the liver. That being said, this type of treatment does not necessarily cure Hepatitis B and ongoing treatment will be necessary.