In this video, I will be sharing all about hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a virus that enters our body and targets our liver, resulting in infection and inflammation.
Do you know that we can effectively prevent hepatitis b infection through vaccination and avoiding high risk behaviours.
And in the event when we contract the virus, there are ways to follow up the condition and prevent long term complications like cancer and death.
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There is an estimated 300 million carriers of the Hepatitis B virus in the world today, with over 500,000 dying annually from Hepatitis B-related liver disease.
The incidence of hepatitis b is higher in Asia, Africa and eastern-Europe.
In Singapore, about 4-6% of the population has chronic hepatitis B infection. That’s 1 in 25!
When someone is first infected, it is called an acute infection.
If that same persons has had hepatitis B for more than 6 months, then that will become chronic hepatitis b.
Well, the only way to get the hepatitis B virus is by coming into contact with infected blood or bodily fluid.
One common way is during the birth process. If your mum was infected with hepatitis B at the point of delivery, then you may become infected in the process.
Sexual contact is another major mode of transmission of the virus where there is exchange of bodily fluids.
Coming into contact with contaminated blood such as through an injury, scratch, sharing of unsterilized needles during tattoo or drug injections are also common modes of transmission.
As such, there are people who are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis b and they are
- infants born to infected mothers
- sexually active individuals with multiple sex partners
- gay and bisexual men
- household contacts with individuals who has hepatitis b
- intravenous drug user
- individuals undergoing hemodialysis
- healthcare workers and public-safety workers at risk for occupational exposure to blood
And if you fall under these at-risk groups, then it’s highly recommended that you go for regular screening for hepatitis B.
Screening is as simple as taking 1 tube of blood at your nearest Gp or family clinic with results available in a matter of days.
We typically check for hepatitis b surface antibodies and hepatitis b surface antigens.
It’s a mouthful, I know. But don’t worry, the medical professionals will remember these for you.
You just have to pop into our clinic, and we’ll do the rest.
Now, what are the symptoms of acute hepatitis b infection?
Not all patients infected with hepatitis B may show symptoms.
When present, symptoms and signs include
- fever, fatigue and joint pain.
- loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- tea coloured urine, pale or clay coloured stool
- jaundice or yellowing of eyes and skin
In a small proportion of patients, acute hepatitis b infection may result in liver failure.
It is important to understand that acute hepatitis b infection may progress to chronic hepatitis infection.
The risk is high amongst children.
Approximately 90% of infants and 25-50% of children aged 1-5 will get chronic hepatitis b infection.
In contrast, about 90% of adults recover completely from hepatitis b and do not become chronically infected.
It is important to identify and treat patients with chronic hepatitis b infection as it may lead to liver scarring, liver failure and even liver cancer, all of which are fatal.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could prevent ourselves from contracting hepatitis b?
Vaccinations has now made it possible.
Hepatitis B vaccines given in a series of 3 doses are more than 98% effective in helping us prevent hepatitis b infection.
The world health organisation recommends that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth followed by 2-3 doses of the vaccine weeks to months later.
00:00 Intro
00:44 Incidence & prevalence of Hep B
01:18 Mode of transmission & High risk groups
02:31 Blood screening of Hep B
02:58 Symptoms of Hep B infection
03:28 Chronic progression & Complications of Hep B infection
04:00 Hep B vaccination
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