It can be acute and resolve without treatment. However, some forms can be chronic, and these could lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV is a major global health concern. In fact, in , HBV-related liver disease caused around , deaths worldwide.
For most adults, HBV is a short term condition that causes no permanent damage. HBV can cause infection and inflammation of the liver. A person can have HBV and transmit the virus to others without knowing that they have it. Some people experience no symptoms. Some only have the initial infection, which then resolves. For others, the condition becomes chronic. In chronic cases, the virus continues to attack the liver over time without detection, resulting in irreversible liver damage.
However, accounting for people who do not report that they have the infection, the number of acute HBV infections may have been closer to 22, Many HBV infections occur during infancy or childhood.
This is because a mother can pass HBV to her child during childbirth. However, doctors rarely diagnose HBV in childhood, as it causes few obvious symptoms. Symptoms of a new HBV infection may not be apparent in children under 5 years of age or in adults with a suppressed immune system.
Acute symptoms appear around 60— days after exposure to the virus, and they can last from several weeks to 6 months. A person with a chronic HBV infection may have ongoing episodes of abdominal pain, persistent fatigue , and aching joints. HBV is transmissible when blood, semen, or another bodily fluid from a person with the virus enters the body of an individual who does not have it.
Health workers may be at risk through unsafe medical practices, such as reusing medical equipment, not using personal protection, or incorrectly disposing of sharps. The virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. During this time, it can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who has not received vaccination against it. Antiviral medication can treat chronic infections. If chronic HBV starts causing permanent liver damage, undergoing a liver transplant can help improve long term survival.
However, receiving an effective vaccine and taking antiviral medications means that fewer people may end up needing a liver transplant as a result of chronic HBV. There is no specific treatment, cure, or medication for an acute HBV infection.
Supportive care will depend on the symptoms. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your doctor will examine you and look for signs of liver damage, such as yellowing skin or belly pain. Tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B or its complications are: Blood tests. Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body and tell your doctor whether it's acute or chronic. A simple blood test can also determine if you're immune to the condition.
Liver ultrasound. A special ultrasound called transient elastography can show the amount of liver damage. Liver biopsy. Your doctor might remove a small sample of your liver for testing liver biopsy to check for liver damage. During this test, your doctor inserts a thin needle through your skin and into your liver and removes a tissue sample for laboratory analysis.
More Information Liver biopsy Liver function tests. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.
More Information Liver transplant. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Lok AS. Hepatitis B virus: Clinical manifestations and natural history. Accessed Aug. Lok AS. Hepatitis B virus: Screening and diagnosis. Mantzoukis K, et al. Hepatitis B is often spread through sexual contact, shared needles, and accidental needle sticks. The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent hepatitis B. In many countries, infants receive their first dose of the vaccine at birth.
They can also prescribe a medication called hepatitis B immunoglobulin. This works quickly against the virus for short-term protection. Both of these options work best when started within 48 hours of exposure to the virus.
If you have hepatitis B, try to get in for a blood test every six months or so to monitor your viral load and liver health. Learn how it's caused and treated, and find tips for preventing it. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that disproportionately affects Asians and Asian Americans. Hepatitis A, B, and C are caused by different viruses that lead to inflammation of your liver.
We break down the differences between each type and how…. The renewed focus on hepatitis B screening in all pregnant women draws attention to the importance of identifying an infection early. Treatment is…. Lead in water pipes can cause a number of long lasting health effects, and experts say children are particularly vulnerable to them. Learn how you can successfully control your asthma, with tips for short-term relief, management techniques, medical treatments, and more.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Is There a Cure for Hepatitis B? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.
0コメント