Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can be either acute or chronic hepatitis.
Untreated Hepatitis B may cause complications, such as liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. New antiviral medications have the potential to treat Hepatitis B infection.
Screening of family members of the patients is necessary to rule out any Hepatitis B infection.

Transmission routes and risks

  • Vertical transmission: A mother with a chronic infection can transmit infection to the baby.
  • Close contact between individuals, usually in young children (through open cuts or sores)
  • Sexual interaction between male and female
  • Transfusion of contaminated blood between individuals
  • Needle sharing amongst drug abusers

Risk factors

  • HBsAg positive people spreading the infection
  • Intravenous drug abuse
  • Contaminated transfusion of blood
  • Contaminated surgical devices
  • Tattoos
  • Haemodialysis

Symptoms

  • Acute hepatitis involves sudden liver inflammation
  • Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, body ache followed by jaundice
  • Typically, acute hepatitis is self-limiting, and the body clears a large portion of the infection cases (90%) however, some may develop chronic hepatitis (5%).
  • Liver failure may occur in 1 % of patients. Patients may require ICU admission and liver transplantation.
  • Chronic hepatitis B presents with mild liver inflammation and increased liver enzymes
  • Chronic hepatitis B poses an increased risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis in 30 % of patients.

Diagnosis

  • Liver function test reveals elevated SGOT/SGPT and increased bilirubin.
  • Positive HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc

Treatment

The main treatment approach is to correctly determine the risk factors for liver diseases and appropriate use of antiviral drugs is recommended.

Emergency Cases

+91 8447663380

In case of any emergency, you can directly call us on the given number and visit our clinic.

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