Hepatitis B
Acute systemic infection with major pathology (secondary manifestation of disease) in the liver It is the most common and most infectious viral hepatic infection as compared to Hep A (can survive outside the body for seven days and still be infectious) It is caused by hepatitis B virus The most common of viral hepatitis.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
WHO IS AT RISK BEING INFECTED?
RISK FACTORS
HOW CAN IT BE TRANSMITTED?
When blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
The ways are:
- When an infected mother gives birth
- During sexual intercourse: exchange of fluids
- Sharing of needles,syringes or other drug-injections equipment with infected person
- Sharing personal hygiene items eg toothbrush
- Health workers can be at risk if they are exposed to unsafe medical practices eg reusing medical equipment, not using personal protection criteria and also incorrect disposal of sharps
YOU CANNOT GET HEP B FROM
- Sharing of food or water
- Sharing eating utensils
- Breast-feeding
- Hugging
- Kissing
- Holding hands
- Coughing and sneezing
- Insect bite
PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES
- VACCINE: receive preventive vaccine against HBV
Others who should receive the vaccine include:
- Children
- All health care workers
- Anyone who may be exposed to blood and blood products through work or treatment
- Dialysis patients and recipients of solid organ transplants
- Residents and staff of correctional facilities, halfway houses, and community residences
- People who inject drugs
- Household and sexual contacts of people with chronic HBV infection
- Those with multiple sexual partners
Other preventive measures
Infection can be prevented by:
- Wearing appropriate protective equipment when working in healthcare settings or dealing with medical emergencies
- Not sharing needles
- Following safe sexual practices
- Cleaning any blood spills or dried blood with gloved hands using 1:10 dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for disinfecting the area
HBV is a significant hazard for health workers around the world, but the vaccine offers effective protection.
TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS
- Blood tests
- Liver functional tests
TREATMENT OPTIONS
- Present the signs and symptoms to clinicians and doctors to be treated accordingly
WHERE TO GET TREATMENT
- District hospitals across the country
- Four central hospitals (zomba central; QECH; mzuzu central and kamuzu central)
- Advanced private hospitals
