Hepatitis B (HBV) – Symptoms, Transmission, and Prevention
Hepatitis B (HBV) is one of the most serious infectious diseases of the digestive system, caused by the HBV virus. This pathogen attacks liver cells, leading to inflammation and cell death. Understanding how the virus spreads and the available protection methods is key to maintaining health.
The Course of the Disease: Acute vs. Chronic HBV Infection
Depending on the patient's age and the efficiency of the immune system, the disease can take two main forms:
- Acute Hepatitis B: In more than 90% of healthy adults, natural recovery occurs within a year of infection.
- Chronic Hepatitis B: This is particularly dangerous for the youngest. Up to 90% of infants and up to 50% of children under the age of 5 infected with HBV develop the chronic form.
Untreated chronic infection poses a significant risk to life, as it can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
How Does HBV Infection Occur?
The HBV virus is highly contagious. Transmission most often occurs through:
- Perinatal route: Transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.
- Contact with infected blood: Through breaches in skin continuity (e.g., during medical or cosmetic procedures, tattooing) or sharing personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes).
- Sexual contact: Unprotected intercourse with an infected person.
Vaccination and Prevention – How to Prevent Infection?
The most effective form of protection is the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is 95% effective in preventing infections and their long-term consequences, such as liver cancer.
In addition to vaccination, key prevention principles include:
- Adherence to sterilization and disinfection procedures for medical and cosmetic tools.
- Ensuring the safety of blood transfusions.
- Practicing safe sex (using condoms, limiting the number of sexual partners).
- Vaccination of high-risk groups, including healthcare workers.
Can Hepatitis B Be Cured?
In the case of acute infection, no specific antiviral treatment is used; only symptomatic therapy is applied. The situation is different for chronic forms:
Modern medicine offers oral antiviral drugs that effectively inhibit the replication of the virus. Although this treatment often must be continued for life, it significantly slows disease progression, prevents complications, and improves long-term patient survival.