Hepatitis B part 2

Diagnosis
A blood test will be required to detect hepatitis B. Blood test shows positive antibodies reaction. This means that the body is producing antibodies to fight against hepatitis B virus. Liver function test also will be recommended by the doctor. This is done through blood tests that can measure some proteins and enzymes in bloodstream which in turn indicates if the liver is inflamed or damaged. The levels will be high if hepatitis B virus has infected. Liver biopsy is done to check how far the liver is damaged. It is done by passing a fine hallow needle through your skin in the liver and extracting a tissue sample. These cells are examined with a microscope to check any amount of cirrhosis, inflammation and damage caused in the liver
Treatment
Acute hepatitis B has no treatment specifically. You shall be advised not to consume any alcohol, maintain healthy diet and rest. Most of them recover within two months completely without any symptoms. Regular physical check up and blood test will be recommended in case you are being diagnosed with a active infection. In case chronic hepatitis is developed, treatment will involve interferon which is a antiviral medication. This prevents the virus from causing more damage to the liver. Interferon is given thrice a week for about sex months in form of injection. You shall be taught to inject yourself. Side effects like flu occur after taking interferon in the initial stages. These side effects need to be checked at regular intervals by the GP. Steroids are used to treat autoimmune hepatitis, they reduce inflammation which causes cirrhosis, which is a fatal condition. Liver transplant can be a option for anyone with cirrhosis. However this virus can affect new transplanted liver and also can cause disease later.
Complications
Majority of people with hepatitis B can fight the virus and the infection can never become chronic. Children and infants have high risk to develop chronic disease but only few adults do develop chronic hepatitis. Chronic carriers are the ones who have chronic hepatitis B. At least two third individuals with this condition shall not have any symptoms but can pass it on to others. The one third remaining people shall develop liver disease and can be fatal. Cirrhosis can also develop. Once this happens, normal functions of liver are affected and can lead to liver failure. Liver transplant will be the only option left in such cases. At least 25-15% people die of liver cancer that have had chronic hepatitis B. hence is can be associated with high risk to develop liver cancer.
Prevention
Immunization need to be considered by anyone who is at risk of hepatitis B. The following mentioned people are at high risk:
Prison wardens, laboratory workers, dentist, doctors, healthcare consultants and nurses come in contact with various blood products, family members and sexual partners of infected person, injecting drug who also share needles with other equipment, like filters and spoons, unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners frequently, travelling to countries wherein hepatitis B is very common, and people who have haemophilia
For immunization you can consult your GP. Three injections over 6-4 month’s period will for required for complete protection. To check whether the immunization is working or not blood test will required after one month of the third dose. You shall be immune for the next 5 years with this. After 5 years a booster dose is given.
Before travelling to any under developed countries mentioned previously you must receive vaccination of hepatitis B after consulting your GP. Some provide this vaccination free of cost. Immunoglobulin is an antibodies injection given to babies after birth, delivered by mothers who are infected. Hepatitis B vaccine dose is also given during the same period. This is later followed with two doses with a month gap and a booster dose after 12 months.