Hepatitis B

Route of transmission Transmission of hepatitis B virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood: unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles & syringes, vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

General Symptoms ~Associated with acute viral hepatitis, an illness that begins with general ill-heath which can last for a few weeks and then gradually improves e.g. loss of appetite nausea vomiting itchy skin A few patients may have more severe liver disease, and may die as a result of it.

General Treatment in HK ~does not usually require treatment because most adults clear the infection spontaneously. ~FOR Infants born to mothers known to carry hepatitis B: can be treated with antibodies to the hepatitis B virus. -When given with the vaccine within twelve hours of birth, the risk of acquiring hepatitis B is reduced 95%. =>allows a mother to safely breastfeed her child.

Preventive measures Several vaccines have been developed for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B does not generally spread through water and food. Instead, it is transmitted through body fluids, from which prevention is taken to avoid: unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, vertical transmission during child birth. Infants may be vaccinated at birth.