Hepatitis B as a serious liver disease that affects more than 1 million Americans, with about 140,000 more becoming infected each year (1). The etiologic agent of hepatitis B is the hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV (6). Hepatitis B was thought to have its first infectious incidences during the eighth century (2). These infectious incidences were followed by outbreaks of epidemics between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries (2). It was not until the 1970's that hepatitis B was finally isolated by D.S. Dane (3). His medical discovery led to the finding of hepatitis B virus particles, later being identified as Dane particles. This would serve as a building block in the development of a vaccine (3). Through the use of recombinant DNA techniques, a vaccine was developed and in 1991 a universal vaccination of all children was recommended (3).
There are many ways to become infected with the disease hepatitis B. First, an individual must contract the virus HBV. The two main means of transmission are blood to blood and by sexual contact (5). HBV is also found in more moderate amounts in human saliva, urine, and sweat (1). This means that hepatitis B is spread by unprotected sex, sharing needles, from mother to child, human bites, and from contact with blood or open wounds of an infected individual (5).
There are also certain signs and symptoms that someone with hepatitis B will have. Because the HBV virus causes cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and/or eventually liver death, someone with hepatitis B will begin to have problems with their liver (1). Jaundice is one of the most prevalent signs and symptoms (5). This is a yellowish color to the skin and eyes caused by an irregularly functioning liver (1). Darkish colored urine may also indicate a malfunctioning liver (5). Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach and joint pain, and fatigue are all symptoms as well (1).
These signs and symptoms may indicate many problems, so there are certain tests that can determine if you have hepatitis B. There are three traditional blood tests for hepatitis B: HBsAg, Anti-HBc, and Anti-HBs (5). When the test HbsAg is positive, it means the person is HBV infected and can pass the disease on to others (5). The Anti-HBc, when positive may mean that the individual has had contact with the hepatitis B virus (5). The last test tests for a persons immunity. If a person tests Anti-HBs positive, it means that they are immune to hepatitis B and cannot contract the disease (5).
The virulence factor of hepatitis B is not as bad as one might think. Ninety percent of the adults who become infected with the HBV virus recover within several months and do not ever acquire hepatitis B (5). Not only is their body free from the infection, but they are also immune from the disease from here on out (5). The immune individuals are not contagious, cannot pass hepatitis B on to others, and are not at risk for liver caner or liver disease (5).
Once someone is infected with HBV and becomes a hepatitis B carrier, there are certain precautions that he/she should take. Even though the majority of the infected individuals are healthy carriers, there are still people who progress to more dangerous levels of the disease. Once the disease has taken over the liver, there is little that can be done. For abnormal liver tests, medications such as interferon alfa-2b or lamivudine are available (4).
To help control the spread of the disease, intermittent ultrasounds or alpha-fetoprotein blood tests may be done to detect the onset of liver cancer (4). Hepatitis A can further damage your liver, so the infected person should get vaccinated against that virus as well (4). Basically, anything that could further damage your liver, such as alcohol, should be avoided (4).
There are other ways to protect yourself from the virus if you are not infected. The most effect would be the hepatitis B vaccine that is available for all ages, genders, and races and prevents the hepatitis B virus infection (1). This vaccination is given in three doses over a period of six months and can provide protection in about 95% of healthy people (5).
You can also protect yourself by avoiding contact with other infected human body fluids such as serum, semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva (5). Someone can avoid contact with these body fluids by having protected sex, not sharing needles, toothbrushes, or razors, and by using precautious techniques when dealing with blood/open wounds of an HBV infected person.
Hepatitis B can be a life threatening disease. If you feel that you have been exposed to the HBV virus it is very important that you go and get test every sixty to ninety days, due to the virus's incubation period (1).
Bibliography
1. "Hepatitis B Virus" written July 25, 2001, visited April 23, 2002 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/slideset/hep_b/slide_1.htm
2. Wu M.D., Jau-Shin. "Viral Hepatitis History" written September 1996, updated May 3, 2001, visited May 5, 2002 http://hometown.aol.com/chiaungo/profes/vh-histo.htm
3. "Hepatitis B: Historical Information" visited April 25, 2002 http://www.geocities.com/microhepb/hist
4. "Do You Have Chronic Hepatitis B?" visited April 25, 2002 http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120.htm
5. Wexler MD, Deborah L. "Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis B" written November 1993, revised September 1996, visited April 25, 2002 http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/quesfreq.htm
6. "Hepatitis" written December 27, 2000, visited May 5, 2002 http://www.virtualhealthfair.com/conditions/hepatitis.htm