Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by virus infection. The virus causes destruction of the liver tissues and may lead to liver cancer later in life. Hepatitis B is a serious disease and results in the death of over 2 million people all over the world every year. In fact hepatitis B virus is 100 times more dangerous than the HIV (AIDS). There is no guaranteed cure for it.
Minimum quantity of blood required to cause aids is 0.1 ml and blood required to cause hepatitis B IS 0.00004 ml only.
Transmission of Hepatitis B:
Accidental contact with “carriers” (suffering from hepatitis B) can transmit the virus to others.
As the virus is highly stable, the risk of transmission is increased. The virus can survive inside a host for 15 to 20 years or longer period with out any clear symptoms.
The incubation period of the virus is 6 weeks to 6 months. Even out side the host it can survive for certain period of time.
It is spread through various instruments contaminated with the blood, saliva or other body fluids of a carrier to a healthy person.
It also spreads through infected needles for injections, ear or nose piercing and tattooing and also through un-sterilized instruments during operations etc.
Children can acquire the infection in two ways:
1. from an infected mother to the baby at child birth. It is more common through this route.
2. through contact with other person during activities such as sports.
Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B:
This disease has no clear cut symptoms. Hence there is more number of “Asymptomatic Cases”.
A few may develop initially, flu like symptoms, such as Loss of appetite, Tiredness, Chills, Mild fever and body aches.
Later the patient suffers from jaundice (yellowness of skin and eyes).
Treatment of Hepatitis B:
There is yet no definite cure for hepatitis B. Interferons have been tried and found to have variable results. So the only solution left is prevention of the disease through hepatitis B vaccination.
Hepatitis B vaccination:
Course comprises of three injections to be given at definite intervals over a period of six months. The vaccine induces the body to produce antibodies which protect against hepatitis B infection.
Dose:
First dose: At an early date
Second dose: After one month of the first dose
Third dose: Six months after the first dose.
This is known as the 0, 1 and 6 months schedule.
Age group: children 0 to 10 years dose required, 10 mcg.
Adults (11 years and above): 20 mcg.
Prevention is always better than cure.
