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In this lesson, we'll be covering everything to do with Hepatitis B including what it is, the various classifications, who is most at risk, how common it is in the U.S., how it's transmitted, the signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and treatment and prevention options.
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can cause both acute and chronic infections, it's very contagious, and it can be easily spread from one person to another.
There are two classifications of Hepatitis B: acute and chronic.
People most at risk of getting Hepatitis B include:
Since routine vaccinations have been available, rates of acute infections have declined by approximately 82 percent since 1991 and have dramatically declined particularly among children.
In 2015, there were an estimated 19,200 new cases of Hepatitis B virus infections, though the actual number is likely much higher since many people don't know they're infected, don't have symptoms, and have never been tested.
It is estimated that between 850,000 and 2.2 million people in the U.S. have a chronic infection. And globally, approximately 240 million people are infected, contributing to around 786,000 deaths each year.
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, and other body fluids infected with the virus enters the body of a person not infected.
People can become infected during activities like:
The incubation period is between 45 and 160 days with 120 days being average.
Signs and symptoms of acute infection include:
Pro Tip #1: Symptoms usually last a few weeks; however, some people can be ill for as long as six months.
Some people have ongoing symptoms similar to acute Hepatitis B but most individuals with a chronic infection remain symptom free for as long as 20 or 30 years.
Around 15 to 25 percent of people with a chronic infection develop serious liver conditions like cirrhosis (scarring) or liver cancer.
Pro Tip #2: Even as the liver becomes diseased, some people still won't have symptoms. However, certain blood tests for liver function may show abnormalities.
The number one way to diagnose Hepatitis B is with a blood test. And there are a number of those available.
This test looks for Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, a protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus. It can be detected in the blood during an acute or chronic infection. The body normally produces antibodies to HBsAg as part of the immune response to the infection.
A positive test means that a person has acute or chronic Hepatitis B and it can be spread to others. A negative test means there is no sign of the virus in the blood.
This is an antibody that is produced by the body in response to the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.
A positive test means that the person is protected or immune from getting the virus for one or two reasons:
1. The person was successfully vaccinated.
2. The person had an infection and recovered from it, meaning they can't get it again.
This is an antibody that is produced by the body in response to a part of the Hepatitis virus called a core antigen. The meaning of this test often depends on the results of two other tests – anti-HBs and HBsAg.
A positive test means the person is currently infected with the virus or was infected in the past.
This test is used to detect an acute infection.
A positive test means the person was infected with the virus within the last six months.
This is a protein found in the blood when the virus is present during an active infection.
A positive test means the person has high levels of the virus in their blood and can easily spread it to others. The test is also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for chronic Hepatitis B.
This is an antibody produced by the body in response to the Hepatitis B “e” antigen.
A positive test means the person has a chronic infection but is also at a lower risk of liver problems, as they have low levels of the virus in their blood.
This test is used to detect the presence of the virus DNA in the person's blood.
A positive test means the virus is multiplying in the body, which means the person is highly contagious and can spread the virus to others more easily.
If a person has a chronic infection, the presence of viral DNA means they are possibly at an increased risk for liver damage. The test is also used to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy for chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
Sadly, no medications are available to treat an acute infection. The best treatment options are focused on support. Therefore, during an acute infection, doctors recommend:
Treatment options for a chronic infection include:
The first line of defense is vaccination. The hepatitis vaccine includes a sequence of shots that stimulate a person's natural immune system to protect against HBV. After it's given, the body makes antibodies that protect against the virus.
The vaccine is recommended for:
Vaccinations are also recommended for anyone who works at: