Hepatitis B, or viral hepatitis B, is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It exists on a global scale and poses a serious threat to human health. Knowledge of hepatitis B is important for the prevention and control of the disease.
Hepatitis B is transmitted mainly through blood, mother and child and sexual contact. Unsafe injections, blood transfusions and sharing of razor blades and toothbrushes can lead to the transmission of the virus in the blood route. Mother-to-child transmission is one of the most important modes of transmission of hepatitis B, and if the mother is carrying the hepatitis B virus, the virus may be transmitted to the newborn during childbirth or in close contact after delivery. Sexual contact transmission should not be overlooked, and multiple sexual partners or unsafe sex can increase the risk of infection. General daily exposures, such as handshakes, hugs, common utensils, etc., usually do not transmit hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B has different symptoms at different stages of human infection. During the initial period of acute hepatitis B infection, some patients may suffer from symptoms such as infirmity, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal swelling, pain in the liver, urine and yellow, and may be associated with fever, rashes, joint pain, etc. However, there are also patients with mild or no visible symptoms. Acute hepatitis B is usually self-rehabilitated within six months, with some patients turning to chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B patients may be chronically non-symptomatic, or have symptoms such as mild inactivity and hepatitissis, which can easily be ignored. As the disease progresses, hepatic abnormalities may occur, in the form of severe complications such as yellow salsa (skin and filamental yellow), abdominal water, liver cerebral disease, and even liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
At present, the diagnosis of hepatitis B is based on serometric marker tests (e.g., hepatitis B, two-and-a-half), viral nucleic acid Quantification (HBV DNA) and visual examinations of liver function, liver ultrasound, etc. Two-and-a-half of hepatitis B consists of Hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg), Hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs), Hepatitis B e antigens (H BeAg), Hepatitis B e antibodies (anti-HBB) and Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc). HBsAg positive indicates infection with hepatitis B virus. HBEAg positive virus is active and contagious. HBV DNA quantitative tests provide an accurate picture of the level of replicability of the virus in the body. Hepatic function checks can assess the extent of liver damage, such as increased hepatic cell damage such as diapropamase (ALT) and diarrhea muamase (AST). The liver ultrasound allows for the observation of liver morphology, structure and determination of the presence of cirrhosis, etc.
For the prevention of hepatitis B, vaccination against hepatitis B is the most effective measure. The newborn child shall be vaccinated against hepatitis B within 24 hours of birth and 3 doses shall be administered in accordance with the procedure of 0, 1 and 6 months. For adults, hepatitis B is also recommended if hepatitis B has not been infected and hepatitis B has surface anti-negative properties. In addition, the strict application of disinfection isolation in medical practices, the use of disposable syringes, medical devices, etc., to avoid unnecessary blood transfusions and injections can effectively reduce the risk of blood transmission. In terms of sexual exposure, the correct use of condoms reduces the likelihood of infection. The possibility of mother-to-child transmission can be greatly reduced by providing antiviral treatment during pregnancy for pregnant women with hepatitis B virus and the timely vaccination of the newborn against hepatitis B vaccin and hepatitis B after birth.
The treatment of hepatitis B is aimed at maximizing the long-term inhibition of HBV replication, reducing hepatocytosis and hepatitis fibrosis, and reducing liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer and other complications, thereby improving the quality of life and extending survival. Treatment includes, inter alia, anti-viral treatment, hepatitis treatment, etc. Antiviral treatments are mainly nucleotide analogues (e.g. Nteikave, Pinofovethane, etc.) and interferon. Nucleus acid analogues effectively inhibit the replicability of viruses, with relatively small side effects and long-term administration. Interference is not only antiviral but also immunosuppressive, but has more side effects, such as heat, inactivity, bone marrow inhibition, etc., with some use of taboos. Hepatotherapy drugs can be used to improve liver function and reduce hepatitis, but are not a substitute for antiviral treatment. In the course of treatment, patients are required to regularly review indicators such as liver function, HBV DNA, hepatitis B, and liver ultrasound in order to adjust the treatment programme in a timely manner.
Hepatitis B is a preventable disease. The effective prevention of the spread of hepatitis B can be achieved by increasing public awareness of the means of transmission, the methods of prevention and the means of treatment, actively promoting vaccination against hepatitis B and improving blood management and medical safety. Patients with hepatitis B should be treated in a timely manner, in accordance with the doctor ‘ s recommendations, and in order to maintain good living habits, such as cessation of smoking and alcohol, a reasonable diet, adequate exercise, and the avoidance of overwork, in order to improve the quality of life and delay the progress of the disease. Good results can be achieved in the fight against hepatitis B and in safeguarding public health, provided that we are properly aware of it and that we adopt scientifically effective preventive and curative measures.
Hepatitis B
