What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is the name of a virus and the name of the disease it causes.

Hepatitis B makes your liver sick. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to this; So do some chemicals and other viruses.

Your liver is very important to your health. When it's damaged, it doesn't work properly and can make you very sick.

Hepatitis B is sometimes called "hep B."

How do you suffer from hepatitis B?

You get hepatitis B when the blood or sexual fluids of someone who has hepatitis B gets into your bloodstream. You can get hepatitis B even if the amount of blood or sexual fluids is too small to be seen.

How do I know if I have hepatitis B?

Most people have no symptoms or signs and do not feel sick. The only way to diagnose it is to do a blood test.

When you first get hepatitis B, you may have these symptoms:

vomiting

fever

Loss of appetite

Dark colored urine

Pain in liver (right side under ribs)

Pain in the joints

Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)

What does hepatitis B do to my body?

Hepatitis B enters liver cells and causes liver disease. The body goes to great lengths to fight the virus in the liver cells. This fight damages the liver and, over many years, the liver can stop working.

In most adults, the body gets rid of hepatitis B within 6 months of getting it, and you can't get it again.

But in young children and some adults, sometimes the body can't fight it off and hepatitis B stays in the body for life. This is called 'chronic hepatitis B' and it can damage the liver, cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and lead to liver cancer. Liver damage can be reduced with medication and liver cancer can be prevented.

What must I do if I have hepatitis B?

You should see your doctor every six to twelve months, even if you feel well. This is because hepatitis B does not make you feel sick. If you feel sick, it is because your liver is already damaged.

Along with blood tests, your doctor may also do a fibro scan. A fibroscan is a liver scan that tells your doctor if there is liver damage or scarring (cirrhosis) and how much damage there is. The doctor will then decide whether you need to take medication or whether you should visit a liver clinic or see a liver specialist.

Can hepatitis B be treated or cured?

Yes, hepatitis B can be treated.

But not all people with hepatitis B need medication. Your physician will recommend you if you need medication.

Medicines will not cure you of hepatitis B. But it can prevent damage to your liver, reduce the risk of liver cancer, and help the liver repair itself.

Talk to your physician about which type of medication is suitable for you.

How can I help my liver?

Use minimal or no alcohol at all

Eat a balanced, healthy diet, and don't eat too much fat

Quit or reduce smoking

Exercise regularly

Manage stress and get help

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines such as herbal medicines, vitamins, or Chinese medicine. Some of them can damage your liver, especially if they are taken in high doses over a long period of time

Protect yourself from other communicable diseases as they can seriously affect your health and lead to further liver damage:

Get vaccinated for hepatitis B

Do not share needles or spoons to take drugs

Use condoms

How can I avoid getting hepatitis B and how can I protect others?

Vaccines

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis B.

It is very safe and protects a person from this disease in more than 95% of cases.

Depending on your age, you get 2 or 3 shots over a 6-month period.

In Australia all children under 1 year of age receive 4 free vaccinations every 6 months. Immunization is recommended for children 10 to 13 years of age who have not been vaccinated in infancy.

If the mother has hepatitis B, the baby will receive an additional vaccine within 12 hours of birth. It provides the good protection to the kid. When the baby is 9 months old, he needs to be tested to make sure that he has developed immunity against hepatitis B.

To prevent others from getting hepatitis B from you:

Make sure people you come in close contact with are vaccinated.

Use condoms

 Do not share toothbrushes, razors or other personal items with blood on them, including dried blood.

Do not allow others to touch your open wounds unless they are wearing gloves.

Do not share needles, syringes or other equipment to take drugs

Do not give blood, sperm, organs or body cells to others

If you are pregnant or planning to become a mother, talk to your doctor about the immunizations your baby will need.

If I have hepatitis B, do I need to tell anyone?

You should tell your family, people you live with and your sexual partner (or partners) so they can get tested and vaccinated. Your physician may assist you do this.

If you want to join the Australian Defense Force you have to tell them.

You must tell your insurance company. If you don't tell us, the company may not pay you if you get sick or injured.

If you are a medical worker who performs medical tasks where your hands cannot be seen (such as a surgeon or doctor), you must tell your employer or supervisor and seek specialist doctor's advice.

You don't have to tell your boss, the people you work with or study with, or your friends.

Telling people like your dentist or doctor can help them give you the best medical care, but it's your choice. If you decide to tell them, they can't tell anyone else.

You may want to talk to other people who can understand and help you. Take as much time as you need to decide which people you can trust.

Where can I get help and advice?

There are many hepatitis B community groups in Australia that can give you advice and support.