Hepatitis B is a liver infection that’s caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). An infection only develops if the virus manages to reach your liver because liver cells are the site for which this virus dwells and reproduces. And a HBV invasion often causes inflammation, what’s referred to as hepatitis.
Hepatitis B infection is contagious and is classified as an STD. This viral hepatitis is typically spread via contact with blood, semen and vaginal secretions, but not casual contact. Besides sexual contact, a couple other common modes of transmission are needle sharing or poke, hemodialysis and infectious disease being passed from infected mother to her baby during birth or breast feeding.
Saliva can contain the hepatitis B virus, but usually in very low concentrations. However, it’s not wise to share toothbrushes, eating utensils or razors, nor engage in biting activities. And while infected, you may not experience symptoms, but you’re considered contagious.
For most, their immune system combats a HBV infection on its own without lasting health effects and post recovery you’ll have immunity. When symptoms do occur they often resemble those of influenza or stomach flu, like:
And it can take a while to recover from these HBV caused symptoms.
In some cases, this liver infection can develop into a chronic liver disease, that can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. One of the symptoms indicating your hepatitis B infection may be a bit more serious than just a passing infection is jaundice. This liver disease symptom is an indicator your liver is not functioning properly.
Whenever your liver is inflamed, whether it’s caused by viral hepatitis or some other liver disease, it interferes liver function. Some of the vital tasks you liver performs include:
- helps fight infection
- toxin & waste removal
- assists in digesting food
- proteins, cholesterol production
- storage of energy, nutrients & vitamins
As such, liver problems caused by chronic hepatitis B can have widespread ramifications to your overall health. Hepatitis can also be caused by poisons, autoimmune disorders, excessive alcohol use, liver injury, taking certain drugs and occasionally, viral infections like mononucleosis or cytomegalovirus.
As your contagious liver disease progresses, you may also experience symptoms of:
- edema
- ascites
- angiomas
- dark urine
- weight loss
- extreme fatigue
- excessive bleeding
- liver area abdominal pain
If you experience these symptoms and jaundice, seek health care assistance for treatment.
If you have an acute case of hepatitis B liver disease, then consuming adequate nutrition to avoid malnutrition and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration is standard care while your body works on clearing hepatitis B virus pathogens. No medical treatment for hepatitis B is indicated unless your liver infection becomes a chronic jaundice causing liver disease.
If your hepatitis B infection does turn chronic, there are antiviral drug treatments available that can slow or stop the virus from causing any further liver damage. HBV treatment antivirals that may administered include:
- adefovir
- entecavir
- interferon
- lamivudine
- telbivudine
- peginterferon
Depending on the severity of your infection and how well your body responds, you may need to continue to take these drugs for a very long time. And a liver transplant may be required if your hepatitis B infection causes liver failure.
A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B, which is routinely given to all infants and adults in high risk groups. Otherwise, you can also protect yourself against hepatitis B, along with HIV and hepatitis C, by not engaging in risky behaviors, e.g. multiple sex partners and sharing drug needles.