Hepatitis B

Heptitis B is one of the major diseases of mankind and is a serious global health problem. Of the two billion people who have been infected with the virus more than 350 million have chronic lifelong infections. Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver. It is one of the several hepatitis diseases (for example , heptitis A and hepatitis C). These are caused by different viruses, but are similar in that they all affect the liver (hepatitis comes from the Greek words for liver and inflammation).

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus. Some people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus never feel sick. Others have symptoms that might last for several weeks. Those symptoms can include:

1- loss of appetite and tiredness
2- pain in muscles, joints or stomach
3- diarrhea or vomiting
4- yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

This is called as acute Hepatitis B. Some people never recover from Hepatitis B. They develop what is called chronic i.e. long term Hepatitis B virus infection. They might not look or feel sick, but they will probably carry the Hepatitis B virus in their blood for the rest of their lives, and can infect other people. Many of these chronically infected people will suffer from serious health problems, such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer. Infact, Hepatitis B virus causes most of the liver cancer in the world.

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood, or other body fluids, of an infected person. People can get Hepatitis B by having unprotected sex, by sharing drug needles, or by sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes with someone who is infected. Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers can get Hepatitis B through exposure to blood from infected patients. Police, fire fighters, and paramedics who are exposed to blood are also at risk. Just take best care of yourself. You are precious.