Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a pathogen, which causes liver disease and inflammation of the liver.

History In 1963, Dr Baruch Blumberg accidentally discovered an antigen that detected the presence of hepatitis B in blood samples. Dr Blumberg and his team identified a strange antigen from a blood sample of an Austrian Aborigine. They decided to name this antigen the Australia antigen. In 1967, further research showed that this was the hepatitis B causing antigen, which was then officially recognised.

Symptoms Signs and symptoms of HBV usually appear about one to four months after you've been infected. Symptoms include: Abdominal pain Dark urine Fever Joint pain Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Jaundice

Diagnosis Hepatitis B is usually diagnosed with routine or requested blood screening tests such as: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test This test shows if you're contagious. A positive result means you have HBV and can spread the disease. A negative result means you don't have HBV. Hepatitis B Core Antigen Test This shows whether you are currently infected with HBV. A positive result indicates that you have chronic hepatitis B.

Antibody Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test Shows whether you're immune to HBV. A positive test shows that it is very unlikely you will contact hepatitis B. Liver Function Tests These check your blood for heightened enzymes from your liver. HBV can mimic the symptoms of other conditions such as liver diseases.

Contraction You may get HBV if you: Get a tattoo or a piercing with unsterilised tools. Share needles with an infected person. Have unprotected sex with an infected person. Share personal items, like toothbrushes and razors with an infected person.

Prognosis The hepatitis B virus usually only stays in the system for around one to three months and is therefor an acute infection. In severe cases, if a person remains infected they may develop complications such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Treatment Chronic hepatitis B is not curable but it is treatable. Treatments include: Receiving an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours of coming in contact with the virus. Antiviral medications . Liver transplants.

Prevention The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as three or four injections over six months. You can't get hepatitis B from the vaccine. Other ways to reduce your risk of HBV include: Before you travel to a foreign country, ask your doctor about the HBV vaccine. Know the HBV status of any sexual partner. Be cautious about getting piercings and tattoos . Stop using illicit drugs.

Future Other drugs to treat hepatitis B are being developed.

Facts This year alone, 10 to 30 million people will become infected with HBV. Infection kills one person every 30-45 seconds . HBV is about 10 times more prevalent than HIV in the world.

Trivia What are three symptoms of HBV? Is HBV curable? What tests do doctors use to test for HBV? How can you help prevent HBV? How can you get HBV?