Hepatitis B - 951 Words

Page 2 Hepatitis B is a potentially life threatening liver infection caused by the virus HBV. A Hepatitis B infection could potentially become a chronic disease for some people because they run the risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer if precautions are not taken. Cirrhosis causes permanent scarring to the liver. Some adults that have become infected with Hepatitis B do fully recover even if their symptoms are relentless. Symptoms can be mild to more severe and can be very unpleasant. These symptoms typically appear one to four months after a person has been infected and this is when symptoms will begin. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, joint pain, dark urine, loss of appetite,†¦show more content†¦If someone’s liver has been severely damaged by the virus, a liver transplant may be an option. Research on this disease continues and more drugs to treat the infections are being developed. Getting the Hepatitis B vacc ination is a sure way in preventing infection, and taking precautions is important to follow to keep yourself safe. It is important to understand that a person cannot contract Hepatitis B from the vaccination, but can surely contract the virus by having unprotected sex. Precautions include wearing a condom either latex or polyurethane, paying extra special attention to where you would go if you want to get a tattoo or piercing by making sure they adequately sterilize their equipment. Other ways to stop the spread of the Hepatitis B are that if a person comes in contact with blood or bodily fluids, it is very important that they wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water and discard any type of soiled clothing or items into a bag. Another thing to help prevent the spread of the virus is by cleaning blood and body fluids off surfaces by using a diluted bleach solution. If a person plans on traveling to an area that has a high rate of Hepatitis B, they should talk to their do ctor about getting vaccinated which is a series of three to four shots over the course of a six month period. The consequences of people not taking precautions and steps to keepShow MoreRelatedHepatitis B3288 Words   |  14 PagesRunning head: EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER - HEPATITIS B 1 Epidemiology Paper - Hepatitis B Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V-0102 EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER - HEPATITIS B Epidemiology Paper - Hepatitis B 2 ―Communicable diseaseâ€â€" means an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins that occurs through the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent or its products from an infected individual or via an animal, vector or the inanimate environment to a susceptible animalRead MoreEpidemiology Hepatitis B737 Words   |  3 PagesEpidemiology Hepatitis B affects 1 in 3 people worldwide (Hepatitis B Foundation [HBF], 2014). A vaccine has been available for over 30 years, yet it is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide (HBF, 2014). The epidemiology of hepatitis B, the role of the community health nurse along with the knowledge about what is being done to combat and reduce the impact of the virus gives a comprehensive look at hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus, and belongs to the Hepadnaviridae familyRead MoreHepatitis B1826 Words   |  8 PagesHepatitis B What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis means the inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B, â€Å"formerly called serum hepatitis (Richard Adler)†, is caused by a serious liver infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the infection has two phases: acute and chronic (eMedicineHealth). Acute hepatitis B is short-term and occurs after being exposed to the virus and only few develop fulminant hepatitis which is very severe and life threatening. Chronic hepatitis can lead to â€Å"liver failure, liverRead MoreMmwr Hepatitis B1032 Words   |  5 PagesMMWR Paper on Hepatitis B Microbiology 212-A April 27, 2012 Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that affects the liver and belongs to the Hepadnaviridae group (Takkenberg, Weegink, Zaaijer, amp; Reesink, 2010). According to an article in Vox Sanguines, an international journal of transfusion medicine, (Takkenberg, Weegink, Zaaijer, amp; Reesink, 2010) â€Å"about 400 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HBV, and 2 billion people have serological evidence of past or presentRead MoreEpidemiology Hepatitis B1639 Words   |  7 PagesEpidemiology of Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a disease that affects many people worldwide and can cause serious and potentially fatal complications. This paper will provide an overview of this disease, including demographic information, while discussing contributing determinants of health, the implications of the epidemiological triangle as it relates to the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), the role of the community health nurse, as well as identify a national organization that addresses the disease and howRead MoreHepatitis B : A Serious Disease868 Words   |  4 PagesHepatitis B is a serious liver virus, some people with Hep B can become chronic and it can last up to six months or longer. It increase risk of having liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. People that are infected with Hep B as adults recover fully however infant or children are the ones who are more likely to have chronic infections Hepatitis B has symptoms, cause, risk factor and complications although, there is vaccine that can prevent Hep B, bu t there is really not cure for it. If you areRead MoreTaking a Look at Hepatitis B and C734 Words   |  3 PagesHepatitis B, C Hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the Hepadnarvirus family. The virus particle consists a lipid envelope that contains surface antigens, HBsAg, a core composed of protein, viral DNA, and polymerase. Theses virions are approximately 40 nm in diameter, which are known as one of the smallest enveloped animal viruses. It infects hepatocytes, also known as Dana particles. The genome of HBV is circular, partly double stranded, and approximately 3,200 nucleotides long. Dr. Baruch BlumberdRead MoreEssay on Hepatitis B 2656 Words   |  3 Pages Hepatitis B can be prevented with a highly effective vaccine, but this year ten to thirty million people will become infected with the hepatitis B virus. I feel that because this disease is preventable, only knowledge can help reduce the number of people infected. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus is a blood-borne pathogen. It is one hundred times more infectious than HIV. amp;#8220;Hepatitis B is one of the mostRead More Hepatitis B Virus Essay1137 Words   |  5 PagesHepatitis B Virus Characteristics: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a double-stranded DNA virus in the Hepadnaviridae family. The infectious particle is 42nm in diameter, with a genome 3200 nucleotides long. It has an outer envelope and an icosahedral nucleocapsid, which contains viral DNA polymerase and has a diameter of 27nm. The envelope contains the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg); this is the molecule to which anti-HBV antibodies are directed. The non-infectious hepatitis B particlesRead MoreHepatitis B Virus ( Hbv )3508 Words   |  15 Pages Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) attacks the liver and may cause long-term liver diseases. The HBV vaccination program was launched in 1982, and the vaccines work 95% of the time in preventing infection among non-immunodeficiency people (1). However, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are usually more prone to HBV, as these two viruses share the common modes of spread, such as sexual transmission (2). To prevent co-infection, HIV patients are recommended to have HBV vaccine