SAVE YOUR LIVER WITH DR BOAT HEPATITIS B COUNSELOR - Tema, Ghana

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
Acute hepatitis B is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is
exposed to the hepatitis B virus. An acute infection can range in severity from a mild illness with
few or no symptoms to a serious condition requiring hospitalization. Some people, especially
adults, are able to clear the virus without treatment. People who clear the virus become immune
and cannot get infected with the hepatitis B virus again. Acute infection can — but does not always
— lead to chronic infection.Chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong infection with the hepatitis B virus. Over time, chronic hepatitis B can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

How is hepatitis B spread?
The hepatitis B virus is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B
virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus
from:
*Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
*Sex with an infected partner
*Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
*Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors or medical equipment such as a glucose monitor with
an infected person
*Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
*Exposure to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments of an infected person
Hepatitis B virus is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging,
kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B, if they appear, can include:
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Clay-colored bowel movements
Joint pain
Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or the eyes)

Can a person spread hepatitis B without having symptoms?

Yes. Many people with acute or chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms but can still spread the virus.

How serious is chronic hepatitis B?

Chronic hepatitis B can develop into a serious disease resulting in long-term health problems,
including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. A statement released by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on July 23 2019 said about 421
people died out of 117, 095 viral hepatitis cases between 2014 and 2018 in various health facilities across the country.

CAN HEPATITIS B BE TREATED?
Yes, But It depends on your condition. There are drugs that can suppress the Hep B Virus but complete cure depends on early detection and the strength of your immune system. People with hepatitis B should seek the care or consultation of a doctor with experience in treating hepatitis B. This can include some internists or family medicine practitioners, as well as specialists such as infectious disease physicians, gastroenterologists, or hepatologists (liver
specialists). People with chronic hepatitis B should be monitored regularly for signs of liver disease
and evaluated for possible treatment. Several medications have been approved for hepatitis B
treatment, and new drugs are in development. However, not every person with chronic hepatitis B
needs to be on medication, and the drugs may cause side effects in some patients.

What can people with chronic hepatitis B do to take care of their liver?

People with chronic hepatitis B should be monitored regularly by a doctor experienced in caring for
people with hepatitis B. They should avoid alcohol because it can cause additional liver damage. They
also should check with a health professional before taking any lay treatments, prescription pills,
nutritional or herbal supplements, or over-the-counter medications, as these can potentially damage
the liver.