Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by a virus (the Hepatitis B virus) infection. It causes destruction of the liver tissue. The thing that makes hepatitis-B dangerous is the fact that it can lead to liver cancer in a significant number of patients later in life.

What are the signs & symptoms of Hepatitis B infection?
There may not be any manifest signs & symptoms in a majority of sufferers. Some patients develop symptoms of tiredness, bodyache, loss of appetite & mild fever. They may develop yellow discoloration of skin & eyes (jaundice), dark urine & complain of pale feces.

There is no definite treatment for the disease. Vaccination against the virus is effective in preventing infection.

What are the sources of infection for Hepatitis-B?
Following are the major routes of transmission of Hepatitis-B:

• Contact with infected blood & body fluids, like from blood transfusions or to medical personnel during operations and patient care.
• Contaminated I.V. needles including accidental needle pricks.
• Sex with infected person or multiple partners
• From infected mother to newborn.

Who all are at risk of getting Hepatitis-B ?
All medical staff; paramedical staff; intravenous drug users, heterosexuals with multiple partners, homosexuals & prostitutes; Thalassemics and hemophiliacs who regularly receive blood or related products; infants born to Hepatitis B infected mothers & family members of virus carriers are particularly at high risk.

The problem of hepatitis infection is very common in South East Asia. For example in India, one out of every 20 individuals is a Hepatitis B virus carrier. Contact with such carriers can transmit the virus to others.

What is Hepatitis B vaccination and what is the course?
Hepatitis-B vaccination has now become the part of the primary immunization of infants in many countries and is being administred in many parts of India in the National Immunization Program.

The vaccine enables the body to produce antibodies against Hepatitis B infection. The course consists of three doses:
First dose at an elected date
Second dose after one month
and Third dose at six months after first dose.

In India, a genetically engineered vaccine known as ‘Engreix-B®’ is available, which is stored between +2^o to +8^o . It is not to be frozen. It is given intramuscularly and has no side-effects except transient redness & soreness at the injection site in rare cases.

Are there any contraindications to the use of hapatitis-B vaccine?
It is contra-indicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to yeast, or any other components of the vaccine.

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