Hepatitis B Symptoms, Risk and Liver Cirrhosis & Failure

Infection with the Hepatitis B virus causes one of the most serious liver diseases. This results in inflammation of the liver leading to cir...

Infection with the Hepatitis B virus causes one of the most serious liver diseases. This results in inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis among other complications like liver cancer.

Hepatitis B Symptoms & Risk 

Infection with the Hepatitis B virus causes one of the most serious liver diseases. This results in inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis among other complications like liver cancer. The hepatitis B virus is one of five viruses that cause a medical condition called viral hepatitis (the others are A, C, D, and E). Falling in the intermediate endemic zone, about 40 million people in India suffer from this deadly infection (as per the latest estimates).

Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic diseases. While acute Hepatitis B infection lasts for 6 months with or without symptoms, chronic hepatitis B occurs if the infected person still tests positive after six months. In addition, the risk of developing chronic Hepatitis B is directly related to the age of the patient.

Being a highly contagious disease, it spreads from person to person, whether through infected blood or other bodily fluids. It can also be sexually transmitted from an infected person to a partner. However, it is not spread by sneezing, coughing, sharing utensils, or hugging an infected person.

Common Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Common Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Common symptoms of acute Hepatitis B include fatigue, dark urine, loss of appetite, mild to high fever, abdominal pain, weakness, yellowing eyes and skin, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, etc. The above symptoms and you do not want to take the risk associated with them, it is imperative to contact your best doctor as soon as possible and clear your doubts.

Unfortunately, chronic Hepatitis B is often asymptomatic until the late stages. Symptoms develop once the patient has extensive liver damage (advanced cirrhosis). The only way to diagnose it early is to screen patients with risk factors in an asymptomatic stage.

Hepatitis B Risk Factors

There are several risk factors associated with Hepatitis B infection because it is a highly contagious disease. The following individuals are considered to be at high risk for Hepatitis B:

• Unprotected sex with a person who has Hepatitis B infection
• Those with a family history of Hepatitis B
• History of blood transfusion before 1990

Additionally, there are several groups of people who are at greater risk of catching the infection. Contains:

• Health Workers
• Sex Worker
• Gay Men
• Drug Addicts

Complications of Hepatitis B If Left Untreated

Hepatitis B brings with it many health complications that can prove to be fatal if not treated on time. Some of these health complications are:

Liver cirrhosis: If you are suffering from Hepatitis B, the liver becomes inflamed. If the inflammation becomes prolonged, scarring occurs on the liver. This leads to a condition called liver cirrhosis which severely impairs the functioning of the liver.

• Liver Cancer: If you are suffering from liver cirrhosis, you may also suffer from liver cancer. Cirrhosis is actually a pre-cancerous stage.
• Liver failure: Liver failure occurs when your liver is damaged beyond repair and a liver transplant becomes absolutely critical.

If you think you are at risk of getting Hepatitis B or its symptoms are prominent, then it is the right time to consult a doctor and get the necessary treatment.