What is Hepatitis B and How Can You Prevent It?
Learn more about the hepatitis B virus and find out how to prevent the infection using these recommended prevention tips.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. Though most cases clear on their own, it can sometimes cause chronic infections that lead to long-term health problems.
This article delves into everything you need to know about hepatitis B. We’ll cover risk factors, transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
Keep reading to learn more!
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B, often referred to simply as HBV, is a type of infection that damages your liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus and is usually transmitted by an infected person’s blood.
The virus lives in the blood and can be active for several weeks after exposure. Though most cases clear by themselves, levels of infection may vary among individuals.
On the other hand, some individuals may develop serious health problems if left untreated for too long. For example, the disease can be especially harmful to those with active liver disease and, in some instances, may cause death.
How is it Transmitted?
Hepatitis B is spread through the bodily fluids of an infected person, most commonly during sex and less commonly during childbirth, by blood transfusion, or by sharing needles.
Additionally, infected people can spread it through household items such as razors and toothbrushes that have blood on them.
What are the Risk Factors?
Specific risk factors increase your chances of getting this liver infection. For example, you are at greater risk when:
- Using contaminated blood products
- Having unprotected sex
- Getting tattoos or body piercings without proper sterilization
- Using shared needles for illicit drug use
If you fit any of the risk factors above, you may have a higher risk. Therefore, it’s important you know what symptoms to watch out for and what to do about them.
Hepatitis B Symptoms
Most people are unaware they have hepatitis B because they do not show any symptoms. Similarly, when symptoms do occur, people may mistake them for signs of other conditions.
The most common symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, joint and abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dark urine.
If you experience these symptoms, we recommend consulting your doctor as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Hepatitis B
Knowing how to prevent transmission helps protect everyone in the community. Here are some of the top tips to reduce your risk:
- Consider getting vaccinated if you are at high risk or are planning to travel soon
- Avoid medical procedures that penetrate the skin unless you have complete certainty that all equipment used is correctly sterilized by a professional
- Practice safe sex by using condoms
- Do not share items such as razors and toothbrushes
- Never share needles or syringes with anyone else
What Treatment is Available?
Currently, there is no specific cure for this disease. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing serious complications.
Most healthcare professionals will recommend rest, proper nutrition and fluids. However, in some cases, doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat the infection.
These antiviral drugs reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others and slow down liver damage.
Hepatitis B Vaccine: Is It Right For You?
Vaccination is essential for people living with an increased risk of infection. If you are sexually active, especially with more than one person, you may want to consider getting the vaccine before you become exposed to the virus.
The hepatitis B vaccine is part of routine childhood immunizations in Canada. If you did not receive the vaccine during childhood, you may be eligible to receive the vaccine for free, depending on your age and risk factors.
Likewise, most adults in Canada should have received the hepatitis B vaccine in childhood. However, some people may have opted out to get vaccinated at the time.
You can check with your doctor to determine if you received the vaccination or not.
Finally, if you would like to receive the vaccine, you can speak with one of our pharmacists today to learn more.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the hepatitis B virus is a blood-borne infection that can cause serious liver infection and other health problems. Transmission can occur through unprotected sex, unsterilized needles, and from mothers to their babies.
Thankfully, there is a vaccine available, which most Canadians have already received.
Remember that the earlier in a person’s life they are given the vaccine, the better it can protect them from the virus. So if you have not yet received your vaccine and would like to, contact us today!
References:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/hepatitis-b.html