Definition of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is associate inflammation of the liver caused by the serum hepatitis virus. This virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or sharing needles. Hepatitis B infection is a disease that does not last long in the patient's body and will heal on its own without special treatment. This condition is termed acute infectious disease or acute serum hepatitis infection. However, hepatitis B infection can also persist and persist in a person's body (become chronic). Hepatitis B disease is still commonly found in Indonesia with an increasing number of cases.

Chronic hepatitis B infection can cause life-threatening complications, namely cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, chronic hepatitis B sufferers need to have regular check-ups with a doctor to get treatment and early detection if complications occur. It is important to note that hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccinating against hepatitis B.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B often causes no symptoms. This is what causes many sufferers do not realize that they have been infected with the hepatitis B virus. However, transmission can still occur as long as the virus is still in the patient's body.

Hepatitis B infection that lasts less than 6 months is called acute hepatitis B, while infection that lasts more than 6 months is called chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B that becomes chronic can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Although most have no symptoms, some people in the acute phase may experience symptoms.

Symptoms usually appear within 1-5 months after contracting hepatitis B. Symptoms of hepatitis B are:

Fever
Muscle and joint pain
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Weak
No appetite
Bloated
Diarrhea
The skin and whites of the eyes (sclera) are yellow
Dark urine

Causes of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This virus is contained in the blood or body fluids of patients, such as sperm and vaginal fluids.

Transmission of this virus can occur through sexual intercourse, either vaginally, anal, or orally. In addition, sharing razors, toothbrushes, or syringes that have been contaminated with the patient's blood can also increase the risk of contracting this disease.

Hepatitis B can also be transmitted through direct contact with blood or open wounds from sufferers or making tattoos and piercings with non-sterile tools. However, the hepatitis B virus cannot be transmitted through kissing, splashing saliva when coughing or sneezing, sharing eating utensils, or from mothers who breastfeed their children.

Looking at the mode of transmission, there are several groups of people who are susceptible to being infected with the hepatitis B virus. The groups of people in question are:

Doctors and nurses.
Injecting drug users.
People who have multiple sexual partners and do not use condoms during sex.

In addition, someone with a weak immune system, such as the elderly, diabetics, people with kidney disease, or people with HIV/AIDS, is also susceptible to contracting hepatitis B.

Mother to Child Transmission

Hepatitis B is not transmitted from mother to child while breastfeeding. Transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child can occur when a mother with hepatitis B gives birth vaginally. Therefore, regular visits to the obstetrician during pregnancy are very important, in order to detect hepatitis B early.

Diagnosis of Hepatitis B

In diagnosing hepatitis B, the doctor will initially ask for symptoms and check for signs of liver damage, such as yellow skin and eyes or abdominal pain. Then, the doctor will conduct a follow-up examination to confirm the patient's diagnosis.

One of the additional tests performed is a blood test. Blood tests are performed to detect the presence of the hepatitis B virus, check liver function, and determine whether the type of hepatitis B the patient is suffering from is acute or chronic.

Imaging tests, such as an abdominal ultrasound, are also done to check for and detect damage to the liver. In sure cases, a diagnostic assay procedure by taking a sample of liver tissue is finished to visualize the amount of liver injury. As previously stated, most people with hepatitis B have no symptoms. That is why, hepatitis B is often found when patients do routine medical check-ups.

Hepatitis B Treatment

The method of treatment for hepatitis B is determined based on the type of infection suffered by the patient, whether hepatitis B is acute or hepatitis B is chronic.

1. Treatment Steps for Acute Hepatitis B

There is no specific treatment step to treat acute hepatitis B, because the disease and symptoms that appear can disappear by themselves after 2-3 weeks without having to undergo hospital treatment. However, if the symptoms are severe enough, the doctor will prescribe an antiviral drug, such as lamivudine.

Patients with acute hepatitis B are advised to get plenty of rest, and consume plenty of fluids and nutritious foods to speed up the healing period. Acute hepatitis B can last up to 6 months.

Patients with acute hepatitis B who already feel healthy, are not necessarily free from the virus. Doctors recommend that patients continue to undergo regular health checks to ensure that the patient is completely free of the virus.

2. Steps for Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment

If after six months the hepatitis B virus is still detected through a blood test, the patient is declared to have chronic hepatitis B. The treatment steps given for this condition vary according to the doctor's assessment.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B will be given antiviral drugs to fight the virus, reduce the risk of liver damage, and prevent complications that can occur. Antiviral drugs that can be given to fight the hepatitis B virus are:

entecavir
Tenofovir
Lamivudine
Adefovir
Telbivudine

Antiviral drugs cannot be used to eliminate hepatitis B infection, but only prevent the development of the virus. Therefore, patients with chronic hepatitis B need to have regular check-ups with a gastroenterologist and hepatologist to monitor the progress of the disease, evaluate treatment, and detect complications that may occur early.

If hepatitis B has caused liver damage until liver function is permanently impaired, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo a liver transplant procedure. The liver transplant procedure is done by replacing the damaged liver with a healthy liver obtained from a donor.

Complications of Hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B is at risk of causing serious complications of liver disease. There are several complications that can arise, namely:

1. Cirrhosis

Hepatitis B infection can cause inflammation that triggers the formation of scar tissue in the liver.

2. Heart cancer

If chronic hepatitis B is not treated immediately, the infection can trigger the appearance of cancer cells that can develop into liver cancer.

3. Heart failure

This condition occurs when hepatitis B infection has caused severe damage to the liver, so that the liver no longer functions.

Acute hepatitis B can also cause complications, although they are rare. Complications arise when acute hepatitis B infection triggers the immune system to attack the liver. This immune system disorder can cause liver damage, thus endangering the life of the sufferer. This condition is known as fulminant hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B Prevention

The main preventive measure for hepatitis B is to undergo hepatitis B vaccination. Everyone is strongly recommended to undergo this vaccination. In infants, hepatitis B vaccine is given 4 times. The first dose is given at least 12 hours after the baby is born, and follow-up doses are given sequentially at 2, 3, and 4 months of age.

The hepatitis B vaccine is also mandatory for children, adolescents under the age of 19, or adults who have never received the hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine is also given if you are traveling to areas prone to hepatitis B.

In addition, there are several other steps to prevent hepatitis B, namely:

Keep your body clean by washing your hands before eating or after outdoor activities.
Before having sex, make sure you and your partner have been tested and are free of hepatitis B.
Use a condom when having sex.
Avoid drug abuse or sharing needles. Also avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with other people.
For medical staff, use gloves when handling people with hepatitis B and avoid direct contact with the patient's blood.
If you are planning on getting a piercing or tattoo, make sure the needle or equipment used is sterile.