Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world and is caused by the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B virus enters the body and travels through the blood to the liver. In the liver, it attaches to the liver cells and multiplies. Although the patient may not have any problems at this phase, multiplication of the virus triggers a response from the body’s immune system.

Hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure or even liver cancer unless diagnosed and managed early.

Hepatitis B infection is considered to be ‘acute’ in the first 6 months after infection. If hepatitis B virus tests (HBsAg) are positive after 6 months, this is now a ‘chronic’ (long term) hepatitis B infection, which may last a lifetime.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B

Symptoms resulting from acute hepatitis B infection are common, with jaundice occurring approximately 12 weeks after initial infection.
The symptoms of acute hepatitis B include:
– Loss of appetite
– Nausea and vomiting
– Tiredness
– Abdominal pain
– Muscle and joint pain
– Jaundice
Many people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms and never realize they had the infection. A small number of those with acute hepatitis B become very sick in a short period of time. This happens if there is massive damage to the liver and it stops working. This is called acute liver failure.

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis B

Most people with chronic hepatitis B do not have any symptoms of infection so that they feel healthy and may not be aware they are infected. However, other s may experience symptoms, which are similar to those experienced with other forms of viral hepatitis. These can include:
Tiredness, depression and irritability
Pain in the liver (upper, right side of abdomen)
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Joint aches and pains.
People with chronic hepatitis B have a significantly increased risk of developing liver cancer.

Disease course:- The main predictor of disease course is the duration of infection:
– Infants infected with hepatitis B rarely experience symptoms of acute infection, but 90% will develop chronic or lifelong infection
– Children infected with hepatitis B rarely experience symptoms of acute infection, but 30% will develop chronic or lifelong infection
– Adults or adolescents infected with hepatitis B commonly experience symptoms of acute infection, however less than 5% develop chronic or lifelong infection

Transmission of the virus

Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids (saliva, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk). The most common routes of spreading include:
– Sexual contact
– Sharing of needles / syringes
– Needle stick injuries among healthcare workers
– Reuse of inadequately sterilized needles
– Child-to-child transmission through household contact such as biting
– Sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes or nail clippers
Hepatitis B is NOT spread by contaminated food or water, and cannot be spread through casual social contact such as kissing, sneezing, coughing, hugging or eating food prepared by a person with hepatitis B.

 

Treatment

Those who have immunity and normal LFTs do not need treatment. People who are chronically infected but do not have any liver damage also do not need treatment but need close monitoring. However, if a person has liver damage they should consider having treatment for hepatitis B. The decision on when to start treatment is complex and should be made in consultation with a gastroenterologist / hepatologist.

The most common are anti-viral medications taken as tablets each day for a year or longer:
Lamivudine
Adefovir
Entecavir (Baraclude)
Tenofovir (Viread)

The main side effect of the antiviral tablets is sometimes the hepatitis B virus mutates (changes) during the course of treatment, which means the antiviral tablets are not as effective against the new form of the virus. This is called antiviral resistance.
During treatment, the patient’s blood tests are monitored very carefully to look for signs of antiviral resistance. If there are signs of resistance such as elevated liver enzymes and high levels of hepatitis B virus in the blood, the antivirals may be changed.

Lifestyle advice for people with chronic hepatitis B

There are a number of things people with chronic hepatitis B can do to stay healthy, including:
– Limit or avoid alcohol
– Do not smoke
– Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

Prevention

– Consider being vaccinated
– Practice safe sex (use a condom)
– Wash hands after touching blood or body fluids
– Wear disposable gloves if giving someone first aid, or cleaning up blood or body fluids
– Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, needles, syringes, personal hygiene items or any object that may come into contact with blood or body fluids
– Use new and sterile needles / syringes for each injection
– Cover all cuts and open sores with a band aid or bandage
– Wipe up any blood spills and then clean the area with bleaching powder
– Throw away personal items such as tissues, menstrual pads, and bandages in a sealed plastic bag.
Those who have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and who have not been vaccinated should receive hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 72 hours of exposure, and a dose of hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible or within 7 days.

Vaccine

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine that has been available since 1982. It is now recommended that all babies and adolescents be vaccinated against hepatitis B. All healthcare workers should also be vaccinated.