Facts on Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a communicable viral disease which causes inflammation of the liver. The chief concern for this illness is in detection. It can go without symptoms for years and lead to extensive liver damage before a victim realizes it.

Causes

• Hepatitis B is a virus that is transmitted through the blood stream. Anyone with open sores or wounds that become exposed to the bodily fluids of another run the risk of becoming infected. Hepatitis B cannot be transmitted through normal contact like shaking hands or hugging.

Symptoms

• It has been estimated that approximately half of all hepatitis victims experience no symptoms at all. For those that do, hepatitis B signs can often mimic the symptoms of the flu such as nausea, headaches, fatigue and abdominal pain.

Treatment

• Acute hepatitis B will normally filter its way out of the patients system in much the same was as any other normal virus. There is no cure for chronic hepatitis and carriers should see their physician on a regular basis for treatment of symptoms.

Prevention

• Prevention of hepatitis B can accomplished by means of vaccination. It is highly recommended for anyone under the age of 18. Other preventive measures include practicing safe sex, avoiding drug use involving needles, and not using someone else's personal hygiene items such as razors or toothbrushes.

Statistics

• More than 5,000 people die each year in the United States from the problems associated with hepatitis B. Health care workers are extremely vulnerable to this disease.