We began to learn about viral infections that affect the liver, starting with hepatitis A. Today, we continue our knowledge journey, talking about hepatitis B, a very widespread disease all over the world. You must know that compared to A, hepatitis B is potentially more serious, as it can become chronic and have a malignant course, up to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The danger of this form of hepatitis, for several years now, has led the health organizations of many countries, including Italy, to start prevention strategies through vaccination. "hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B virus (also called HBV from Human Hepatitis B Virus) is a pathogen that is transmitted fairly easily from one person to another. It can be carried by blood and other body fluids, such as sperm, vaginal fluids and precoital secretions. . Transmission can also occur from the infected mother to the newborn during childbirth. In Italy, however, the chances of contracting the hepatitis B virus have decreased since, in 1991, compulsory vaccination for newborns was introduced. . The hepatitis B virus targets hepatocytes, ie the liver cells, where it settles and begins to multiply. The result of this viral proliferation is inflammation of the liver, with cell damage. The disease can manifest itself with pain. , fever and jaundice, that is, with the yellow discoloration of the skin, but the symptoms are often vague or even absent. In most cases, hepatitis B spontaneously evolves towards recovery, but the rus responsible for the disease may not be completely eliminated by the immune system. If the pathogen persists for a long time, it can slowly damage the liver of the infected person and cause very serious consequences.
The hepatitis B virus is therefore transmitted through contact with body fluids of infected people, especially blood and genital secretions. The contagion can therefore occur on the one hand through unprotected sexual relations and on the other by parenteral route, that is, by transfusion of infected blood products. however, forget the other ways in which viruses transmitted by blood contact tend to spread. I refer, in particular, to the exchange of used syringes, the sharing of personal items such as a toothbrush or razor, or contact with tools and health equipment that is not properly sterilized. There is also a potential risk of transmission through the cutaneous route, through procedures that include acupuncture, piercing and tattoos. Finally, it is important to underline that one of the main causes of contagion in developing countries is linked to transmission from infected mothers to their children at the time of birth.
Hepatitis B can evolve in different ways. Viral infection, in fact, can be associated with acute, chronic or fulminant liver disease. Let us now analyze the individual cases. The acute form lasts less than six months, because the immune system usually intervenes by producing specific antibodies against the hepatitis B virus. Most people infected with the virus, therefore, recover with complete recovery, and without report any permanent damage. The outcome also includes the acquisition of immunity from infection, so the subject will be protected for life from further infections by the HBV virus. In cases where the infection lasts more than six months, it is referred to as chronic hepatitis B. Similar episodes occur when the immune system is unable to completely eliminate the virus, which persists in the body and, over time, can compromise liver function. In this case, hepatitis B can last for years and lead to the onset of very serious problems, such as liver failure or liver cirrhosis, which is chronic inflammation of the liver with the formation of non-functional scar tissue. , in chronic infections, the hepatitis B virus is fearful mainly because it is related to the development of liver cancer. In other chronic cases, the virus persists in the liver, but does not cause liver damage, even in the long term. Some people, in fact, once cured of the disease, they can remain chronic carriers of the virus without suffering particular consequences Finally, in rare cases hepatitis B can be fulminant and fatal.
As for the symptoms of the disease, the first manifestations of hepatitis B appear 45-180 days after infection. After this long incubation period, the disease can begin with non-specific symptoms, reminiscent of a common flu, such as weakness, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, general malaise, abdominal and joint pain. After a few days, jaundice appears, a characteristic sign of liver impairment. Jaundice, in particular, gives a yellowish color to the skin and eyes, due to of the increased concentration of bilirubin in the blood. Another typical sign of hepatitis B in progress is the color of the urine, which is dark, again due to the excess of bilirubin in the blood, while the faeces become clear. Regarding the symptoms, it is important to emphasize that, sometimes, hepatitis B can occur asymptomatically; in these cases the subject does not notice the infection for a long time, since the symptoms appear only when the disease has seriously compromised the functions of the liver. It is for this reason that, sometimes, doctors recommend hepatitis B tests in people at risk even when they have no symptoms.
The presence of the hepatitis B virus can be ascertained through a simple blood test. The tests foresee, in particular, the dosage of specific markers. For example, viral antigens and antibodies produced by the subject against the virus responsible for the infection are searched for. Also through blood tests, it is also possible to quantify other specific markers of acute or chronic infection, or vaccination. All these tests are important not only for the diagnosis, but also for the monitoring of the infection. In fact, the carriers of the virus should periodically carry out control tests to establish the course of the immune response to the hepatitis B virus and monitor any damage. to the liver.
Usually, no specific therapy is recommended for adults who contract the infection in an acute form, as hepatitis B is self-limiting as we have seen. In these cases, treatment focuses on symptom management and prevention. In general, the treatment focuses on symptom management and prevention. Rest, adequate nutrition, fluid intake and close medical monitoring are recommended. In addition, to avoid excessive strain on the liver, the consumption of alcoholic beverages should be avoided. As for patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B, they are treated with antiviral drugs - such as interferon, entecavir and tenofovir - which allow the replication of the virus within infected cells to be controlled. It should be noted that the currently available therapies are not always able to completely eliminate the hepatitis B virus, but they still prevent the extension of liver damage and the progression of the disease towards cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer. In any case, in cases of severe impairment of liver functions, it is possible to evaluate an organ transplant.
Vaccination confers protection against hepatitis B. In Italy, it is mandatory for newborns and is recommended and free for some risk groups. The vaccination schedule includes three administrations, at the 3rd, 5th and 11th or 13th month of the child's life.No booster doses are needed. In addition to the vaccine, hepatitis B can still be prevented by adopting correct behaviors, such as using a condom in the case of occasional sexual intercourse, and avoiding the exchange of used syringes and personal toilet items. video, I also recommend paying attention to where and how you get pierced, pierced ears and tattoos. I remember that these aesthetic practices should be carried out inside rooms with excellent hygienic conditions, but above all with sterile disposable needles.
