Hepatitis B, a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), is widely disseminated worldwide and is a serious public health problem. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, there are approximately 296 million people globally chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, and about 820,000 people die each year from hepatitis B-related diseases, a country with the largest number of hepatitis B patients.
Hepatitis B is transmitted mainly through blood, mother and child and sexual contact. Blood transmission: Blood or blood products, such as needle sharing, syringes, etc., can cause transmission of the virus in direct contact with the infected person. Sexual transmission: Unprotected contact with persons infected with Hepatitis B virus, especially those with multiple sexual partners and men who have sex with men, has a high risk of contracting Hepatitis B virus. Mother-to-child transmission: it can be transmitted to the newborn through placenta, or through contact with the blood body fluid of the pregnant woman during childbirth.
In many cases, hepatitis B infection may not immediately cause visible symptoms, especially at an early stage of infection. Some may suffer from fatigue, appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, yellow salivation (skin and yellow eyes), but many may not feel ill for a long period of time, which is also the hidden nature of the hepatitis B virus.
If the Hepatitis B virus continues to be active in the body, the liver becomes fibrogenic with long-term inflammation. Hepatic fibrosis is a restorative response to damage in the liver, but excessive fibrosis destroys the normal structure and function of the liver and eventually develops into cirrhosis. Hepatic cirrhosis means that hepatic tissues are replaced by a large number of fibre tissues, and the liver is inelastic and severely impaired. Patients with liver cirrhosis may have serious complications such as abdominal water (accumulation of excessive liquids in the abdominal cavity), liver cerebral disease (brain disorders, which can be manifested in cognitive disorders, behavioural abnormalities, etc.) and edible dysenteral spectonic fractures, which tend to indicate that the onset of these complications is advanced, treatment is difficult and mortality is higher.
Hepatitis B virus infections also significantly increase the risk of liver cancer. Hepatitis cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours in the world, and chronic hepatitis and hepatitis cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis B virus are important risk factors for liver cancer. Early liver cancer usually has no visible symptoms and, as the tumour grows, there may be signs of right upper abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, wasting, inactivity, etc., but the best treatment is often missed.
Hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective means of prevention. Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and can stimulate the human immune system to produce protective antibodies, thus effectively preventing hepatitis B virus infection.
For those already infected with Hepatitis B virus, hepatic function, hepatovirus load, hepatic ultrasound, etc., should be regularly examined in order to detect changes in the condition in a timely manner and take appropriate treatment. Antiviral treatment is key to the treatment of hepatitis B. By inhibiting the replicability of the virus, hepatitis can be mitigated, hepatitis fibrosis and cirrhosis can be delayed and the risk of liver cancer reduced.
In everyday life, persons with hepatitis B should be careful to maintain good living habits and avoid abusive behaviour such as overwork, drinking and smoking, and to have a balanced diet, with more intake of vitamin- and protein-rich food to promote liver restoration and regeneration. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid the use of drugs that may cause liver damage, such as certain antibiotics, dethermal painkillers, etc. If other drugs are needed, they should be done under the guidance of a doctor.
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that, although not completely curable at present, can be effectively controlled or clinically cured through scientific preventive measures, periodic examinations and standard treatment, reducing the incidence of complications and improving the quality of life and survival of patients. The public should raise awareness of hepatitis B, focus on prevention, care for hepatitis B patients and work together to combat this global health challenge.
Hepatitis B, hepatitis B, hepatitis B, hepatitis B
