Among the infections that affect the liver, theHepatitis B It is one of the most widespread diseases worldwide. Caused by the HBV virus, this disease can manifest itself in an acute form or, if not diagnosed and treated in time, turn into achronic infection capable of seriously damaging liver tissue over the years.
Being a silent virus, which often shows no obvious symptoms for a long time, awareness of the ways in which it spreads and targeted testing are the most powerful prevention weapons at our disposal.
How is the hepatitis B virus transmitted?
The HBV virus is highly contagious (much more than the HIV virus) and is transmitted mainly through the direct contact with infected body fluids, especially blood, semen, and vaginal secretions.
The most common transmission routes include:
- unprotected sexual intercourse with partners who tested positive for the virus
- blood-to-blood contact: through sharing needles for injecting drugs or, considering that the virus can survive outside the body for more than seven days, even in dried blood, it can be contracted by using razors or toothbrushes of an infected person or through cosmetic or dental care instruments that have not been properly sanitized.
- unsterilized instruments: related to tattoos, piercings or medical and aesthetic procedures performed in non-compliant facilities
- vertical transmission: from mother to child during childbirth (this is why screening during pregnancy is routine).
How NOT to transmit the virusHepatitis B is not contracted through casual everyday contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses.
What are the symptoms?
Many people contract Hepatitis B without even realizing it, because the infection it is often asymptomatic, especially in the early stages. When present, symptoms of the acute form appear after an incubation period (ranging from 2 to 6 months) and include:
- fatigue deep and inexplicable
- nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- abdominal pain, especially in the upper right area (under the ribs)
- Jaundice: yellowish coloration of the skin and sclera of the eyes, accompanied by dark urine and light-colored stools.
The course of hepatitis B infection can range from mild forms that last only a few weeks to severe chronic forms that persist for years. Sometimes, chronic HBV leads to serious consequences such as: cirrhosis, liver failure o liver cancer.
How is it managed and treated?
- Acute Hepatitis BIn most healthy adults, the infection resolves spontaneously. Treatment is simply rest, a light diet, and hydration to help the liver regenerate.
- Chronic Hepatitis B: requires constant monitoring and, if necessary, the use of specific antiviral drugs. These therapies do not permanently eliminate the virus, but they block its replication, protecting the liver from future damage.
- primary prevention: the most effective way to protect yourself remains the vaccination, which in Italy is mandatory for all those born after 1991 and is strongly recommended for those at risk.
Laboratory diagnosis: what tests should be done?
Tests for Hepatitis B, which are done with a simple blood sampling, detect the presence of viral proteins (antigens), antibodies produced in response to infection, or the virus's genetic material (DNA). The overall evaluation of all test results allows us to distinguish between active and previous infection and between immunity resulting from previous exposure or vaccination.
Hepatitis B is a serious infection, but perfectly manageable if addressed in timeKnowing your HIV status is not only an act of responsibility towards yourself, but also towards the people you love. A simple blood test can make a difference in your long-term liver health.
Do you want to check your immune protection or get screened for Hepatitis B? At Hub Vicenza Medical Center You can perform the complete panel for hepatitis markers quickly and safely.
Book your blood tests online. For information on access and preparation: Call us at 0444 251922 HUB: your health, under control in an instant.
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