what is hepatitis b,its symptons and cure,if any?!
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Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B viurs, which can be transmitted when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected, having sex with an infected person without using a condom, by sharing drugs, needles, or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth. Hepatitis B can be a short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection. Almost half of people who contract it, don't have any symptoms. When they do, they include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. Adefovir dipivoxil, interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and entecavir are five drugs used for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis B.
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Meaning
Originally known as serum hepatitis, hepatitis B has only been recognized as such since World War II, and has caused current epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa.[1] Hepatitis B is recognized as endemic in China and various other parts of Asia.[2] Over one-third of the world's population has been or is actively infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Symptoms
Acute infection with hepatitis B virus is associated with acute viral hepatitis -- an illness that begins with general ill-health, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bodyaches, mild fever, and then progresses to development of jaundice. The illness lasts for a few weeks and then gradually improves in most of the affected people. A few patients may have more severe liver disease (fulminant hepatic failure), and may die as a result of it. The infection may also be entirely asymptomatic and may go unrecognized.
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus may be either asymptomatic or may be associated with a chronic inflammation of the liver (chronic hepatitis), leading to cirrhosis over a period of several years. This type of infection dramatically increases the incidence of liver cancer.
Hepatitis D infection requires a concomitant infection with hepatitis B. Co-infection with hepatitis D increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and subsequently, liver cancer.
Treatment
There are currently several treatments for chronic hepatitis B that can increase a person's chance of clearing the infection. Treatments are available in the form of antivirals such as lamivudine and adefovir and immune system modulators such as interferon alpha. There are several other antivirals under investigation. Roughly, all of the currently available treatments, when used alone, are about equally efficacious. However, some individuals are much more likely to respond than others. It does not appear that combination therapy offers any advantages.[4] In general, each works by reducing the viral load by several orders of magnitude thus helping a body's immune system clear the infection. Treatment strategies should be individualized by a doctor and patient. Considerations include the risks associated with each treatment, a person's likelihood of clearing the virus with treatment, a person's risk for developing complications of persistent infection, and development of viral resistance with some of the treatments.
On March 29, 2005, the US FDA approved Entecavir for the treatment of hepatitis B.
On February 25, 2005, the EU Commission approved PEGASYS for the treatment of hepatitis B making it the first pegylated interferon to be approved for hepatitis B.
Chronic carriers should be strongly encouraged to avoid consuming alcohol as it increases their risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
Infants born to mothers known to carry hepatitis B can be treated with antibodies to the hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B immune globulin or HBIg). When given with the vaccine within twelve hours of birth, the risk of acquiring hepatitis B is reduced 95%. This treatment also allows a mother to safely breastfeed her child.
An individual exposed to the virus who has never been vaccinated may be treated with HBIg immediately following the exposure. For instance, a health care worker accidentally stuck by a needle used in a hepatitis B carrier would qualify. Treatment must be soon after exposure, however.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B
Hep B is a bad liver disease that is gotten through direct contact with the blood of someone who has it. If you had a cut on your hand, and you were bandaging someone with it who was bleeding, you could get this virus. Anal intercourse is another great way to get it, as is sharing contaminated needles.
As a virus, there are no antibiotics for it. You can get immunized for it, and it's not expensive. There is no cure for it.
Symptoms, as with most liver diseases, are a general feeling of malaise, fatigue, juandice, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and sometimes vomiting. You may also run a low grade fever.
Source(s):
Former nurse
Here's a great link for you ( rather detailed too I might add.)
What Hep B is: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm
What Symptoms are: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/fact.htm
According to the sites info:
Is there a cure for hepatitis B?
There are no medications available for recently acquired (acute) HBV infection. Hepatitis B vaccine is available for the prevention of HBV infection. There are antiviral drugs available for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
Also,
What drugs are used to treat chronic hepatitis B?
There are at least five drugs used for the treatment of people with chronic hepatitis B: Adefovir dipivoxil, interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and entecavir.
I hope your just currious and you don't have it; from what I glanced at on the site links it is life threating.
Hope this info helps you some;
*HUGS*
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