Hepatitis B
About Hepatitis B:
- Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world.
- It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver.
About the Hepatitis B Virus:
- The hepatitis B virus is a small DNA virus that belongs to the “Hepadnaviridae” family.
- Related viruses in this family are also found in woodchucks, ground squirrels, tree squirrels, Peking ducks, and herons.
- Hepatitis B is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or certain bodily fluids.
- The virus is most commonly transmitted from an infected pregnant person to their baby during childbirth, due to the blood exchange that happens between mother and baby.
- It is also transmitted through unsterile medical or dental equipment, unprotected sex, or unsterile needles, or by sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, body jewelry.
- Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly infected or chronically infected.
- Thus, they can unknowingly spread the virus to others and continue the silent spread of hepatitis B.
- For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their liver is still being silently damaged which can develop into serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Hepatitis B is preventable and treatable. There is a simple blood test to diagnose a hepatitis B infection.
- There is a safe vaccine to prevent hepatitis B.
- There are effective drug therapies that can manage a chronic hepatitis B infection, and a cure is within sight.
Syllabus: Prelims
SOURCE: THE HINDU
