Is hepatitis B curable?

17:29 - 21.05.2018


What is hepatitis B?

 

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. It is a virus that affects the liver and has a high risk of infection. Hepatitis B manifests itself in complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Who has a higher risk of contracting hepatitis B?

* persons who have received blood transfusions;

* persons taking intravenous drugs;

* patients with hemophilia (due to frequent blood transfusion);

* puncture or injury of the body with cutting and stabbing tools (needle, when applying tattoo);

* persons, having more than one sexual partner, homosexuals.

Kissing with infected people (despite the small viral load in the salivary glands, from cracked and damaged lips);

* infants born by infected women;

* persons using the services of beauty salons and hairdressing salons (manicure, pedicure, nail cutting, the use of cutting and stabbing tools);

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

In many cases there are no complaints. The incubation period (hidden period or first symptoms) is approximately 24 weeks. And if the symptoms manifest, they are very weak and similar to the symptoms of influenza (for example: nausea, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, headache, abdominal pain). For many years, the disease may be asymptomatic. Only in the case of treatment of the patient with an acute form or complications, the symptoms appear clearly. A complication of hepatitis B is liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Is it possible to treat hepatitis B?

Treatment of hepatitis B is possible! However, timely and correct treatment tactics should be chosen.

When is it possible? - If hepatitis B is not complicated by liver cirrhosis or liver cancer!

Even if there is a complication, treatment of hepatitis B should be carried out on an individual tactic.

Treatment should be performed only by a hepatologist!

How to protect yourself against hepatitis B?

There is a vaccine against hepatitis B. However, the vaccine should be used only on prescription of a doctor, since not everyone can administer the vaccine.

Razor, scissors, nail tweezers, toothbrush and other items of the infected person's toilet should be kept separately.

In order to prevent sexual infection, you should use means of protection, as well as avoid multiple sexual relations.

During invasive medical intervention (dentist, small and large operations), HBV hygiene (disinfection and sterilization) should be required from the doctor.

Currently, according to the leadership of the World Health Organization, vaccination of children against hepatitis B virus in the early period is carried out in more than 160 countries around the world, including in our country. The first vaccine is administered in 12 hours after the birth of the child, and the next dose is administered according to defined regimens (in accordance with WHO guidelines, except in special cases, the vaccine is indicated for all persons under age of 45 years).

Vaccine against hepatitis B is also designed to protect against the risk of Delta hepatitis (hepatitis D) infection.

 

 

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