Imagine when there is a virus that silently attacks your body, moving to spread without you realizing it. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis B can occur due to blood contact with sufferers, and this virus can attack regardless of age, from children to the elderly.
What if hepatitis B happens to someone close to you? Find out information about this virus from symptoms to treatment in the following article!
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease that attacks vital human organs and is transmitted through blood contact with a sufferer.
Transmission can occur through unprotected sex, sharing needles, and transmission from mother to baby during childbirth. Other transmission media can be through everyday items such as combs and nail clippers.
Know the Types and Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Although hepatitis B itself is a type of hepatitis, hepatitis B also has two types, namely:
1. Acute Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B usually shows signs of infection within 6 months after exposure. In some cases, symptoms may not appear, especially in children. However, pay attention to the following symptoms that most often appear in people with acute hepatitis B who are exposed to the virus:
- Mild fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Pain in joints and muscles
- Dark colored urine
- Sometimes there is a yellowing of the skin and eye membranes (jaundice)
2. Chronic Hepatitis B
After 6 months of exposure to the virus that has settled in the body and has not been eliminated, it will become chronic hepatitis B virus. This chronic infection can last a lifetime, and poses a high risk to the health of the sufferer.
As the virus develops in the body, the symptoms felt will also get worse, such as:
- Continuous fatigue
- Pain that causes discomfort in the upper abdomen
- Sometimes there is a yellowing of the skin and eye membranes (jaundice)
The advanced diseases that will occur are serious diseases such as cirrhosis or hardening of the liver and liver cancer.
Early Detection of Hepatitis B Before It's Too Late
Don't wait until symptoms appear, you can detect the emergence of the hepatitis B virus early by doing a blood test. Here are some types of blood tests that aim to detect the presence of the hepatitis B virus:
1. Blood Test
The first way to detect the presence of the hepatitis B virus in the body is to do a blood test, which is divided into several parts of the test, such as a test to detect early hepatitis B virus infection, a test to ensure the activity of the virus, and also to determine the stage of the virus.
2. Biopsy
Checking for the hepatitis B virus can also be done by taking samples from the liver cells of hepatitis B sufferers.
3. USG
Another way to find out if there is hepatitis B virus in the body is to do an ultrasound on the liver. The ultrasound test can show the severity of damage to liver cells.
Take Preventive Actions to Prevent Exposure to Hepatitis B
Preventive measures for hepatitis B can be done by administering vaccines according to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia No. 42 of 2013, which requires hepatitis B immunization in children. This vaccine can be obtained at health facilities and is given by doctors or medical personnel according to age.
In addition to vaccination, maintaining environmental cleanliness is also a preventive measure to prevent hepatitis B. One way is to not share personal items such as combs and nail clippers with others, as this can reduce the risk of virus transmission.
Treatment for Hepatitis B
If you have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, go to the doctor immediately so you don't make a mistake in choosing the treatment steps. So far, treatment for acute hepatitis B does not require special treatment, because the body has an immune system that can fight the virus itself.
Unlike acute hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B has more severe liver damage and requires special treatment. Chronic hepatitis B sufferers need to undergo treatment by taking antiviral drugs to suppress virus replication and regular monitoring by medical personnel to detect complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer early.
If liver damage is too severe, liver transplantation is the last step that must be taken. This procedure aims to replace the damaged liver in order to maintain the patient's survival.
Hepatitis B is a threat that can attack regardless of age and has the potential to cause serious complications if not treated immediately. Prevention is better than cure, do not ignore preventive measures such as vaccination and maintaining personal and environmental hygiene.
Immediately check yourself at a health facility if you or someone close to you shows symptoms of hepatitis B infection. Protect your health and your family's health now!
Article written by dr. Muhammad Yamin Lubis, Sp.PD-KGEH, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist - Consultant Gastro Entero Hepatology EMC Sentul Hospital).