Hepatitis B : Introduction

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global health problem, leading to chronic infection and increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.

Epidemiology and Transmission

Hepatitis B is highly prevalent worldwide, with certain regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia having a particularly high incidence. Transmission can occur through various means, including perinatal transmission (from mother to child at birth), percutaneous (needlestick injury, intravenous drug use), and sexual contact.

Clinical Phases of Hepatitis B

The clinical presentation of hepatitis B infection can be broadly categorized into several phases:

1. Asymptomatic Phase: Many individuals do not exhibit symptoms initially and may remain unaware of their infection.

2. Acute Hepatitis B: This phase can present with non-specific symptoms like fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Most adults recover completely with the development of immunity.

3. Chronic Hepatitis B: A significant number of infected individuals, especially those infected as infants, develop chronic hepatitis B. This can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the long term.

Impact...