Hepatitis B is cause by an infection of virus that infected the liver. It can cause long term liver damage

Hepatitis B is cause by an infection of virus that infected the liver. It can cause long term liver damage
Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B shows symptoms in a short time while chronic hepatitis B infection last for more than 6 months and it is a life long illness.

Hepatitis B take times to show symptoms .
People who do have symptoms or signs may get:
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine
• extreme fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle and joint pain
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• rashes
• pain in the right-hand side of the abdomen
• fever
Symptoms usually start 2 to 3 months after infection with the virus and may last from 6 weeks to 6 months.

Hepatitis B is usually transmitted by contact with bodily fluids (such as blood, semen or vaginal secretions or saliva) of an infected (HBsAg positive) person.The virus must be introduced through broken skin or the placenta or come in contact with mucous membranes for infection to occur.
• sharing needles and other injecting drug equipment
• sharing razors, toothbrushes or nail clippers
• sexual contact
• tattooing with unsterilised needles and equipment
• close family contact with someone who has hepatitis B
• being born to a mother with hepatitis B
• accidental exposure such as a needle stick injury or being splashed with infected blood or body fluid
• blood transfusion —
You cannot catch hepatitis B through being coughed or sneezed on by infected people or by consuming contaminated food and drink. You cannot catch the virus from saliva, breast milk or tears.

A diagnosis of hepatitis B infection is evaluated by using blood tests.
Since hepatitis B is not shown any symptoms when infected and Hepatitis B screening is recommended in people with;
• people at higher risk
• people who have injected drugs
• people born in areas of the world where hepatitis B is widespread (Including Thailand)
• people about to have chemotherapy or other treatment that can suppress the immune system
• people with HIV or hepatitis C
• pregnant women
If you think you have been exposed to infected blood or body fluids, see a doctor as soon as possible. There are treatments that can reduce your risk of developing the infection, if given shortly after exposure.

There is no treatment for acute hepatitis B other than supportive therapy.
Some individuals with chronic hepatitis B benefit from treatment with anti-virals to control replication and reduce the risk of complications. They also require regular monitoring for complications.

Vaccination is best protection against hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective in protecting against hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:
•
• people who live with or share living facilities with a person who has hepatitis B
• sexual partners of people who have hepatitis B
• men who have sex with men, if they are not immune to hepatitis B
• migrants from countries where hepatitis B is common, if they are not immune to hepatitis B
• people with kidney disease who need dialysis
• people living with chronic liver disease or hepatitis C
• people who inject drugs, if they are not immune to hepatitis B
• people who need blood transfusions or blood products
• anyone whose work may involve blood or body fluids, including healthcare workers, police, people in the military, funeral workers, tattooists and body piercers
• people who are travelling overseas to areas where hepatitis B is common

The complications of hepatitis B infection depends mostly on the age at which a person is infected.
People infected as teenagers or adults are likely to become unwell with symptoms (acute hepatitis), but have a smaller chance of developing a chronic infection. Others develop a silent infection, without any symptoms.
Most people infected as adults (approximately 95 in 100) clear the virus from the body within 6 months. They develop immunity to future hepatitis B infections and do not develop long-term liver damage.
However, approximately 1 in 20 adults cannot clear the virus and develop chronic hepatitis B. They are at risk of developing complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer in the longer term.

To prevent hepatitis B transmission and maintain liver function by following
• use condoms to protect nonimmune sex partners
• cover cuts and skin lesions
• refrain from donating blood organs, other tissue, or semen;
• refrain from sharing household articles (e.g., toothbrushes, razors, or personal injecting equipment)
• avoid or limit alcohol consumption
• obtain vaccination against hepatitis A.

TESTBKK-Clinic for STIs which provide useful information and provide fast and reliable STIs test
https://testsgn.org/th

Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute-Hospital which specialized in STIs
https://ddc.moph.go.th/bidi/

Ratchaphruek Hospital-Hospital which can provided fast and valid STIs test
https://rph.co.th/

Thai Association for the Study of the Liver-Provide information speciality in Liver and provide guideline for Liver disease
https://thasl.org/

Control guidelines – hepatitis b control guideline. Hepatitis B control guideline – Control guidelines. (n.d.). https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/controlguideline/Pages/hepb.aspx#3.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, June 22). Hepatitis B – FAQs, STATISTICS, data, & guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm.

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