What is Hepatitis B? How to prevent disease effectively

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Mang Thi Phuong Mai - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital

Hepatitis B virus can live in the blood and other fluids of an infected person causing chronic hepatitis B. At that time, the patient is forced to accept living with the hepatitis B virus for life. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to learn what hepatitis B is and how to prevent it effectively.

1. What is hepatitis B?


Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The disease greatly affects the functioning of the liver, and can cause liver infections that can even be life-threatening. Currently, the hepatitis B virus remains a major threat to global health. According to statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people are currently infected with about 400 million people worldwide suffering from chronic hepatitis B, with 1.5 million new infections each year. In Vietnam, the number of people infected with hepatitis B virus accounts for about 20% of the population.
Chronic hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Hepatitis B can happen to anyone. However, some infants, children and adults are infected with the virus but cannot be completely cured.

Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?

Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.

2. Symptoms of hepatitis B infection

Hepatitis B has unclear symptoms, so it is difficult for patients to recognize. There are even many people infected with hepatitis B without even knowing it. However, even if there are no symptoms, the hepatitis B virus can still cause severe damage to the liver after a period of insidious development. Therefore, when learning what hepatitis B is, it is important to note the following symptoms:
Fatigue, poor appetite. Joint pain. Frequent nausea and vomiting. Urine is dark yellow. Stomachache. Dark greenish-gray stools. Frequent digestive disorders. Yellow skin, yellow eyes. There is bleeding under the skin. Right lower quadrant pain. Abdominal swelling, abdominal distension. Hepatitis B, if not detected and treated early, can develop into liver failure, cirrhosis and ascites, which is very dangerous to health.

Viêm gan B có thể đe dọa đến sức khỏe và tính mạng
Viêm gan B có thể đe dọa đến sức khỏe và tính mạng

3. How is hepatitis B virus transmitted?

Hepatitis B virus has the same infection mechanism as HIV virus. However, with unique characteristics, the hepatitis B virus is warned to be more dangerous than the HIV virus.
If the HIV virus cannot survive for long outside the body and cannot be transmitted in the natural environment, the hepatitis B virus can live in the wild for at least 7 days and during this time the virus can still enter. into the human body that is not protected by the vaccine.
Like the HIV virus, the hepatitis B virus is transmitted mainly through blood, sexual contact and from mother to child.
However, the hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Here are 3 ways hepatitis B infection should be noted:
Transmission from mother to child Pregnant women who have hepatitis B can transmit the disease to their babies. The rate of transmission will vary depending on the specific stage of pregnancy. Specifically, if the mother is infected in the first 3 months of pregnancy, the transmission rate is about 1%. If infected in the second trimester of pregnancy, the rate of infection in the fetus is about 10%.
If a pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis B virus in the last 3 months of pregnancy, the risk of infection will increase to 70%. In particular, if there is no postpartum protection, the risk of infection to the baby is up to 90%.

Phụ nữ mang thai bị nhiễm virus viêm gan B có thể dễ dàng lây nhiễm sang con
Phụ nữ mang thai bị nhiễm virus viêm gan B có thể dễ dàng lây nhiễm sang con

Blood-borne Hepatitis B virus can be easily transmitted through blood transfusion, blood donation, injection, tattoo...if instruments are not properly disinfected. In addition, sharing razors, toothbrushes, etc. with someone with hepatitis B can also make you easily infected.
Spread through sex Having sex with someone who has hepatitis B without taking precautions also puts you at high risk of getting infected. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through all types of heterosexual or same-sex sexual behavior.

4. How to prevent hepatitis B effectively

Currently, vaccination against hepatitis B is considered the most effective method of preventing the disease. If the disease has progressed to the chronic stage, drugs can only be used to control the hepatitis B virus status in the body. The WHO recommends that the first hepatitis B vaccine be given as soon as possible: within the first 24 hours after birth, followed by 2 or 3 doses spaced at least 4 weeks apart.
In addition, you can also refer to some of the following ways to prevent hepatitis B:
Have faithful, safe sex, use condoms to avoid hepatitis B virus infection. Periodic health check-ups are recommended. Make sure you don't get infected.

Tiêm vắc xin viêm gan B là biện pháp phòng tránh bệnh hiệu quả nhất
Tiêm vắc xin viêm gan B là biện pháp phòng tránh bệnh hiệu quả nhất

Before trying to get pregnant, both husband and wife need to be tested to determine if they are infected. Pregnant women also need regular checkups throughout their pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Cover open wounds to avoid being infected with the hepatitis B virus. Never share needles with anyone. Always use new and sterile syringes. Do not come into direct contact with blood, open wounds or other people's fluids without using protective gear. No tattoos, dental work, acupuncture, eye tattoos, lip tattoos... at unsecured and unsafe establishments. Do not share personal items with others such as toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors, etc. Parents need to teach their children how to prevent hepatitis B to avoid infection. The liver and biliary screening allows to perform an examination and test of liver enzymes and at the same time to screen for hepatitis B, C.... After the results are available, the doctor will give an assessment of liver function and advice. Counseling on nutrition, healthy lifestyle to prevent hepatitis B.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is implementing a hepatobiliary screening package that includes all of the above tests, bringing peace of mind. focus and accurate results for customers. When there are signs of liver disorders or even if there are no symptoms, proactive liver function tests are necessary to protect your health.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Articles refer to the source of the World Health Organization WHO
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