Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is one type of hepatitis – a liver disease- caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen or other body fluid. An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth.

If you get HBV, you may feel as if you have the flu, or you may have no symptoms at all. A blood test can tell if you have it. HBV usually gets better on its own after a few months. If it does not get better, it is called chronic HBV, which lasts a lifetime. Chronic HBV can lead to scarring of the liver, liver failure or liver cancer.

There is a vaccine for HBV. It requires three shots. All babies should get the vaccine, but older children and adults can get it too. If you travel to countries where Hepatitis B is common, you should get the vaccine.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Hepatitis on Wikipedia

'''Hepatitis''' is a gastroenterology disease, featuring inflammation of the liver. The clinical signs and prognosis, as well as the therapy, depend on the cause.

Signs and symptoms

Hepatitis is characterised by abdominal pain, fever, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and jaundice (icterus). Some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of these signs and only present when the longstanding inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissue; the result is cirrhosis. Certain liver function tests can also indicate hepatitis.

Types of hepatitis

Viral

Most cases of acute hepatitis are due to virus infections: * Hepatitis A * Hepatitis B * Hepatitis C * Hepatitis D (requires presence of the hepatitis B virus) * Hepatitis E * Hepatitis G :''Please see the respective articles for more detailed information'' Hepatitis A is an enterovirus transmitted by the orofecal route, such as contaminated food. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. The patient's immune system makes antibodies against Hepatitis A that confer immunity against future infection. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis A. Hepatitis B causes both acute and chronic hepatitis in some patients who are unable to eliminate the virus. Identified methods of transmission include blood (blood transfusion, now rare), tattoos (both amateur and professionally done), sexually transmitted disease or vertically (from mother to her unborn child). However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. Blood contact can occur by sharing syringes in intravenous drug use, shaving accessories such as razor blades, or touching wounds on infected persons. Needle-exchange programmes have been created in many countries as a form of prevention. In the US|United ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Canadian Federal Prisons open tattoo parlours for inmates - March 29, 2004 VANCOUVER - Corrections Canada is planning to set up tattoo parlours in six federal prisons this year. Health officials hope the parlours will reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including hepatitis C.

The Ultimate Nutrient - For anyone suffering from CFS, EBV, lupus, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/Aids, sinusitis, and cancer. By Jesse A. Stoff, M.D. one of the world's leading viro-immunologists.

Triumph Over Hepatitis C - Alternative medicine solution; research on Hepatitis C, homeopathic treatment, and cancer therapy.

Vilvacora - Offers herbal treatments for many diseases, such as cancer, allergies, alzheimer, parkinson disease and hepatitis. How to buy the herbs, how to dose them, how to compose complete treatments.

Home Access Health Corporation - FDA approved home testing for HIV and Hepatitis C.

Ehivtest.com - Confidential HIV and hepatitis testing at labs in USA.

Panbionet - Provides high throughput screening services by measuring RNA expression, hepatitis C virus diagnostic kits, and anti-viral drug screening systems for viral disease, from company in Pohang, South Korea.

Viral Replication - Description of the hepatitis virus replication process.

Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research - To conduct research into viral infections of public health importance, especially HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, D, C and E. To understand the replication and spread of viruses To develop improved methods for the diagnosis, treatment and control of the major viral infections of the Western Pacific region.

Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) - Range, breeding habitat, nest location, diet, and identifying traits.

Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis