For most people, the fever of the dreaded HIV has become the beginning of condom use. However, there are more deadly sexually transmitted viruses like the Hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which spreads when body fluids from an infected person enter the body of another person, such as during sex, from sharing needles, through blood transfusion and from mother to baby at birth. it is highly contagious.
The liver is a very important organ in the body. The functions of the liver include:
it helps in breaking down poisons to less harmful substances that can be removed by the kidneys.
it processes absorbed food from the intestines before allowing the food go round the body.
it helps in drug metabolism.
it stores glucose for the body to use later.
it produces important substances for the body to function effectively.
Damage to the liver impairs these body functions.
Therefore it is very important to protect the liver and prevent it from being damaged.
The liver also has the ability to regenerate (grow back) if a part of it is removed.
Certain groups are at particularly high risk of HBV infection. These include:
- men who have sex with other men,
- people with multiple sex partners,
- people with chronic liver disease,
- people with kidney disease,
- people over the age of 60 with diabetes,
- those traveling to countries with a high incidence of HBV infection.
Symptoms of hepatitis B may not be apparent for months or years. However, common symptoms include:
- dark urine
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- fever
- abdominal discomfort
- weakness
- yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclera) and skin (jaundice).
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
An estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive for at least 6 months).
More than 780 000 people die every year due to complications of hepatitis B, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers.
However, it can be prevented by currently available safe and effective vaccine.
According to CDC, the risk for chronic infection with HBV is age-related; 90 percent of infected babies become chronically infected, compared with only 2-6 percent of adults.
For some people, hepatitis B is a short illness, but for others, it can become long term or chronic and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Now, new research finds the risk of liver cancer persists even after the virus is cleared, suggesting people who have had the illness should continue to be monitored.
Hepatitis B vaccine is the main stay of prevention. The complete vaccine series induces protective antibody levels in more than 95% of infants, children and young adults. Protection lasts at least 20 years and is probably for life.
CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND GET VACCINATED TODAY!!!!!!!
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