Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or sharing needles.
Hepatitis B infection generally does not last long in the patient's body and can heal by itself without treatment. This condition is called acute hepatitis infection or acute hepatitis B. However, hepatitis B infection can also persist and survive in a person's body or become chronic.
Chronic hepatitis B infection can cause dangerous complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Therefore, people with chronic hepatitis B need to regularly check with the doctor to get treatment and early detection if complications occur.
Hepatitis B is still commonly found in Indonesia with an increasing number of cases. However, this disease can be prevented through hepatitis B vaccination.
Causes and Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing needles with hepatitis B sufferers. This is because the hepatitis B virus is in the blood and body fluids, such as sperm or vaginal fluids. In addition, hepatitis B can also be transmitted from pregnant women to their babies.
Hepatitis B often causes no symptoms so the sufferer does not realize that he has been infected. However, symptoms can still appear 1-5 months after exposure to the virus. Symptoms that can appear include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and jaundice .
Hepatitis B Treatment
There is no specific method for dealing with acute hepatitis B, because it will heal on its own. Handling only aims to relieve the symptoms that appear. Meanwhile, treatment for chronic hepatitis B is with antiviral drugs .
Chronic hepatitis B patients need regular control to the doctor so that the effectiveness of treatment and the progress of the disease can be known. This is because chronic hepatitis B can cause liver damage. If the liver damage is severe enough, the doctor may order a liver transplant procedure .
With proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, hepatitis B sufferers can live a normal life .
Hepatitis B Vaccination and Prevention
The main step to prevent hepatitis B is through the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine . This vaccine must be given to children, but because the effect does not last a lifetime, the vaccination needs to be repeated as an adult.
Apart from vaccination, there are other efforts that need to be made to reduce the risk of getting hepatitis B, namely having safe sex and staying away from drug abuse.