A viral illness known as hepatitis B damages the liver. Contact with contaminated blood, semen, or other body fluids can spread the virus. Fever, exhaustion, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice are some of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis B. (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Hepatitis B can range from a short-lived, moderate infection to a severe, lifelong condition that can cause death, liver cancer, liver failure, and other serious side effects. Hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral drugs, relaxation, and supportive care.
Hepatitis B can be prevented by becoming vaccinated, engaging in safe sexual behaviour, not sharing needles, and avoiding contact with other people’s blood and body fluids. It is advised that all newborns obtain the hepatitis B vaccination, as well as that everyone who is at a high risk of contracting the disease, get immunised. It is crucial to visit a healthcare practitioner for testing and assessment if you believe you may have been exposed to hepatitis B.
Acute HBV
Hepatitis B virus-induced acute hepatitis (HBV) is a transient infection. Usually, the acute stage of HBV infection lasts a few weeks to a few months. A person may have symptoms including weariness, fever, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice during this time.
The majority of adults who have HBV are able to recover from the illness and rid their bodies of the virus within a few months. A persistent HBV infection, on the other hand, can cause liver cancer, liver failure, or long-term liver damage in certain persons.
Blood tests used to identify acute hepatitis B generally look for viral antigens and antibodies to the infection in the blood. Supportive care, such proper rest and hydration, is frequently used as part of the treatment of acute HBV infection. Antiviral drugs may occasionally be recommended to help treat the illness.
Being vaccinated, engaging in safe sexual behaviour, refraining from sharing needles or other injectable supplies, and avoiding contact with contaminated blood or body fluids are all ways to prevent acute HBV infection. If you believe you may have been exposed to HBV or if you have signs of acute hepatitis, you should visit a doctor.
Know Your Status
A public health initiative called “Know Your Status” aims to raise awareness of the value of HIV testing and persuade individuals to get tested. The campaign stresses the need of being aware of one’s HIV status in order to preserve good health, stop the transmission of HIV to others, and obtain the necessary medical care and treatment.
The “Know Your Status” campaign urges people to periodically be tested for HIV, especially if they engage in behaviours that may put them at risk for infection. It also supports HIV testing as a standard component of healthcare. HIV testing can be done in a variety of ways, including blood tests, oral fluid tests, and fast tests, and is often private.
The “Know Your Status” campaign encourages HIV testing while simultaneously attempting to lessen the stigma attached to the disease and raise knowledge of HIV preventive measures including condom usage, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and harm reduction tactics for drug users.
The “Know Your Status” campaign’s overall goal is to provide people the tools they need to take charge of their health and fight the HIV pandemic.
Hepatitis B treatments
There are a number of remedies for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, such as:
- Antiviral drugs: These drugs can impede or halt the spread of viruses within the body. Entecavir, tenofovir, and lamivudine are among examples. These medications can enhance liver function, lessen liver inflammation, and lower viral loads in the blood.
- Injections of interferon: Interferon is a drug that is administered through intramuscular injection. It could aid the body’s defence mechanisms in battling the infection. Injections of interferon are typically administered for a brief period of time and may cause adverse reactions, such as flu-like symptoms.
- Transplantation of the liver may be required in severe hepatitis B patients. This entails swapping of a sick liver for a donor’s healthy liver.
Apart from medicinal therapies, lifestyle modifications can also assist control hepatitis B, such as:
- avoiding smoking and drinking.
- consuming a balanced diet.
- exercising on a regular basis.
- obtaining a hepatitis A and B vaccination to stop additional liver damage.
The ideal course of therapy for certain hepatitis B instances should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Depending on the extent of the illness and other health conditions, several treatment options may be available.
Hepatitis B and clinical trails
Clinical trials are research projects testing novel therapies, interventions, or medically-based tests for a range of illnesses, including hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Hepatitis B clinical trials may examine novel antiviral drugs, immunotherapies, or combination therapy.
Hepatitis B clinical trials often include numerous phases. Phase 1 studies examine the safety and dose of a novel medication with a small number of patients. Phase 2 studies test the effectiveness of the therapy on a broader group of patients. Even more people are involved in phase 3 trials, which are intended to establish the efficacy of the therapy and assess its safety over a longer time frame.
Participating in hepatitis B clinical trials can grant access to fresh therapies that aren’t yet accessible to the general public. Nonetheless, it is crucial to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of taking part in a clinical research and to talk to a healthcare professional about any worries.
Hepatitis B clinical trials are normally carried out at hospitals and research facilities all over the world. People might look in internet databases like ClinicalTrials.gov or consult their doctor to identify clinical trials for hepatitis B.