Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is quite serious and is caused by HBV or hepatitis virus. Hepatitis B can become chronic, lasting over six months. When it is chronic, the risk of liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer is usually high.
In adults, full recovery is possible even when it is severe. When kids get the infection, the likelihood of it becoming chronic is high. There is a vaccine that can help with prevention. However, a cure is yet to be found. Alin
Symptoms can be either severe or mild. They appear from 1-4 months after infection. There are cases where symptoms are noticed two weeks after infection. However, in some people, especially children, there are no symptoms.
HBV causes infection. It can be passed from one person to the next through body fluids such as semen and blood. The infection cannot spread through coughing or sneezing. It can spread through:
Sexual contact: having unprotected sex with an infected person
Sharing infected needles
Accidental needle sticks
Transmission to a child from an infected mother
Risk factors
The body can clear hepatitis B when it’s acute, and one can recover fully in a couple of months. However, it can become chronic, especially when the body is unable to fight it. It can also last throughout a person’s life leading to other issues.
Chances of infection are increased by: Yellow
Sharing needles
Having same-sex intercourse between men
Living with someone who has an HBV infection, especially when chronic
Mother to child infection
Traveling to regions where rates of infection are high
Being in a career where one is exposed to human blood
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