User talk:Hbvpro

Viral hepatitis refers to infections caused by viruses that directly attack the liver. Chronic cases of viral hepatitis can lead to life-threatening liver cirrhosis (or scarring), liver failure and liver cancer.

The most common forms of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D.

Type of Viral Hepatitis Mode of Transmission / Prevention Hepatitis A

(HAV) Contaminated food and water. There is a safe HAV vaccine. Hepatitis B

(HBV) Infected blood, sex, and needles. From an infected mother to her newborn. There is a safe HBV vaccine. Hepatitis C

(HCV) Infected blood and needles. There is no vaccine. Hepatitis D

(HDV) Must already have hepatitis B. Infected blood, sex, and needles. From an infected mother to her newborn. Get the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis E

(HEV) Contaminated water. There is no vaccine. Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is one of the most common forms of viral hepatitis, which includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. But hepatitis has many other causes, including some medicines, long-term alcohol use, fatty deposits in the liver, and exposure to certain industrial chemicals.

How HBV is spread HBV is spread when blood, semen, or vaginal fluids (including menstrual blood) from an infected person enter another person's body, usually in one of the following ways:

Sexual contact. The hepatitis B virus can enter the body through a break in the lining of the rectum, vagina, urethra, or mouth. Sexual contact is the most important risk factor for the spread of HBV in North America. Sharing needles. People who share needles and other equipment (such as cotton, spoons, and water) used for injecting illegal drugs may inject HBV-infected blood into their veins. Work-related exposure. People who handle blood or instruments used to draw blood may become infected with the virus. Health care workers are at risk of becoming infected with the virus if they are accidentally stuck with a used needle or other sharp instrument contaminated with an infected person's blood. Infection also can occur if blood splashes onto an exposed surface, such as the eyes, mouth, or a cut in the skin. Childbirth. A newborn baby can get the virus from his or her mother during delivery when the baby comes in contact with the mother's body fluids in the birth canal (perinatal transmission). But breast-feeding does not transmit the virus from a woman with HBV to her child. Body piercings and tattoos. HBV may be spread when needles used for body piercing or tattooing are not properly cleaned (sterilized) and HBV-infected blood enters a person's skin. Toiletries. Grooming items such as razors and toothbrushes can spread HBV if they carry blood from a person who is infected with the virus. In the past, blood transfusions were a common means of spreading HBV. Organ transplants could also spread the disease. Today, all donated blood and organs in the United States are screened for the virus, so it is extremely unlikely that you could become infected with the virus from a blood transfusion or organ transplant.

Contagious and incubation periods Symptoms appear an average of 60 to 90 days (although they can appear 45 to 180 days) after you have contact with the hepatitis B virus (incubation period). Blood, semen, and vaginal fluids (including menstrual blood), whether fresh or dried, are highly contagious (HBV can be easily spread) during this period and for several weeks after the onset of symptoms.

Blood contains the highest quantities of the hepatitis B virus. Blood and other body fluids that contain the virus can remain contagious for at least a week and possibly much longer, even if they are dried. If you have a short-term HBV (acute) infection, you usually cannot spread the virus after antibodies against the surface antigen of HBV appear. This generally takes several weeks. If you have a long-term (chronic) HBV infection, you are able to spread the virus as long as you have an active infection.

See more about liver health information,see: Liver Health Information

Prevention of Hepatitis B
You can protect yourself from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by avoiding contact with the body fluids of someone whose health and sexual history are not known to you. To prevent infection: Use a condom when you have sex. Do not share needles. Do not share toothbrushes or razors. Wear latex or plastic gloves if you have to touch blood. The hepatitis B vaccine(What is a PDF document?) is the most effective way to prevent infection with HBV. The vaccine is up to 95% effective against HBV infection if you receive all the shots in the vaccination series (three shots given at different times).5 The vaccine provides protection against HBV infection for at least 15 years.6 A combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B also is available. Vaccination is recommended for:

All newborn babies. Anyone 18 years old or younger who has not previously received the vaccine. People who inject illegal drugs. People who have had more than one sex partner in the past 6 months or who have a history of sexually transmitted diseases. Men who have sex with men. Household contacts and sex partners of people who have hepatitis B. People who have blood-clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, and have received clotting factors from human donors. People who have a severe kidney disease that requires them to have their blood filtered through a machine (hemodialysis). Health care workers and public safety workers who are likely to be exposed to blood. Staff and residents of prisons or institutions for the developmentally disabled. People who will spend more than 6 months in parts of the world where hepatitis B is common or where a large number of people have chronic HBV infection. Such areas include Southeast and Central Asia, the islands of the South Pacific, the Amazon River basin, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and China. It is important that you discuss vaccination with your health professional even if you are not in one of the above categories. In the United States, about 15 out of 100 of those who become infected do not know how they got infected.1

In some cases, a health professional will order postvaccination testing to make sure you have developed immunity to the hepatitis B virus. People who need this testing include those who have an impaired immune system or those who are health care workers or sex partners of people who have long-term (chronic) HBV infection.

If you are exposed to the virus before you have received all three shots in the vaccination series, you may be given a dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) soon afterward. In most cases, HBIG will prevent infection until the vaccine takes effect.

If you have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B and you have not received all three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, you should receive a shot of HBIG-in addition to continuing the vaccine series-within 14 days of being exposed to HBV.

Hepatitis B is easily spread, so if you are already infected, there are many steps you can take to prevent the spread of HBV to others (such as not donating blood or not sharing razors or other toiletries). If you are not infected, there also are steps you can take to protect yourself against HBV infection (such as getting vaccinated or using condoms). For more information on preventing the spread of hepatitis B, see the topics Immunizations and Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

HBV Treatment
Treatment of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection depends on how active the virus is and whether you are at risk for liver damage such as cirrhosis. Short-term (acute) hepatitis B usually goes away on its own. Home treatment is used to relieve symptoms and help prevent spread of the virus. In long-term (chronic) HBV infection, treatment includes monitoring the condition and using antiviral medications to prevent liver damage. If hepatitis B has severely damaged your liver, a liver transplant may be considered.

The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease has made recommendations on who should receive antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B based on the presence of hepatitis B antigens, level of HBV DNA, and the levels of liver enzymes in your blood.4

Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis B infection Initial treatment for hepatitis B infection depends on whether you:

Have been recently infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Have the symptoms of an acute HBV infection. Have chronic HBV infection. If you believe you have recently been exposed to HBV, you should receive a shot of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first of three immunization shots of hepatitis B vaccine(What is a PDF document?). It is important to receive this treatment within 7 days after a needle stick and within 2 weeks after sexual contact that may have exposed you to the virus. The sooner you receive treatment after exposure, the more effective treatment is.

If you have the symptoms of acute hepatitis B, treatment with medication is usually not needed. Home treatment usually will relieve your symptoms and help prevent the spread of the virus. To help relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection:

Slow down. Reduce your activity level to match your energy level. Don't go to work or school unless your workload can be lightened. Avoid strenuous exercise. As you start to feel better, go back to your regular activities gradually. Eat right. Even though food may not appeal to you, it is important to get adequate nutrition. For most people, nausea and loss of appetite become worse as the day goes on. Try eating a substantial (but not heavy) meal in the morning and lighter meals later in the day. Drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. It is important that you keep your body well-hydrated when you have hepatitis B, especially if you have been vomiting. Drink plenty of water and, if you can tolerate them, drink fruit juices and broth to obtain additional calories. Rehydration drinks help replenish electrolytes. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Hepatitis B makes it difficult for your liver to process drugs and alcohol. If you take drugs (prescription or illegal) or drink alcohol when you have hepatitis, their effects may be more powerful and may last longer. In addition, alcohol and some drugs can make liver damage worse. You should avoid alcohol until your health professional feels that your liver is completely healed, which may take as long as 3 to 4 months. Tell your doctor about all of the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking. Try to control itching. People with hepatitis B sometimes develop itchy skin. You might try nonprescription medicines, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton, to control itching. But talk to your health professional before taking any over-the-counter medicines. Prevent the spread of HBV by informing people you live with or sleep with about the illness, by not sharing personal toiletries (such as razors and toothbrushes), and by using a condom or abstaining from sex.

September 2009
Please stop. If you continue to add promotional material to Wikipedia, you will be blocked from editing. ChyranandChloe (talk) 00:27, 30 September 2009 (UTC)