Hepatitis B: How is it transmitted?

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Hepatitis B is one of the most dangerous viruses to date, it is extremely tenacious and able to maintain activity even in dried blood, other biological fluids for quite a long time. Despite the fact that the incidence of this type of hepatitis is reduced due to vaccinations, it is worth knowing how hepatitis B is transmitted.

Content:
  • How is hepatitis B transmitted from person to person?
  • Can I get infected in everyday life?
  • Is sexually transmitted
  • As transmitted to the child
  • How many people live with hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B occurs mainly in people 20 to 50 years old, the incidence of children and adolescents is reduced due to vaccines. In this case, liver cancer, which develops as a result of the lesion, becomes the main cause of death from hepatitis.

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The incubation period of the virus, when it is not yet manifesting itself, is quite long. It can last from a month to six months, it all depends on the state of human immunity. The stronger the health, the slower the virus will become active. Also, the severity of the manifestations of the disease depends on the protective properties of the organism: in people with reduced immunity, hepatitis almost immediately turns into a chronic form without significant manifestations.

Knowing how to get infected with the hepatitis B virus will help to protect yourself as much as possible. In addition, there are many stereotypes about the ways of infection of this disease, which harm not only healthy people, but also the carriers of the virus.

Important!The main danger of the hepatitis virus is the invisibility and non-obviousness of the underlying symptoms.

How is hepatitis B transmitted from person to person?

The main way of infection with group B hepatitis is through blood, any other biological fluid. At the same time, the virus is very active, the infection can go away in a few days, after the blood, for example, completely dries on clothing or hygiene items.

Therefore, the danger of getting infected is everywhere, where there can be contact with biological fluids of other people. The risk of getting hepatitis B appears when visiting beauty salons, manicure procedures, pedicure, tattooing, tattooing or piercing if the tools are not sterile enough.

Unfortunately, the risk of getting infected is also high in medical institutions, in the dentist's office. Also, high probability is present in people with drug dependence, those who have many unprotected sex. In general, the following groups of risk are identified:

  1. Workers of medical institutions, constantly in contact with blood and other biological fluids.
  2. People with a large number of sexual partners who do not use protective equipment.
  3. Family members, people living in the same house with a person infected with hepatitis B.
  4. People who are in prisons, where due to crowdedness, lack of hygiene, the risk of spreading any infection is always increased.
  5. People who inject drugs. Often injections are conducted in conditions of unsanitary conditions, several people use one syringe.

People at risk are advised to get vaccinated against hepatitis B. Also, if there is a risk of infection among health workers, in a number of other cases a special preparation is used - immunoglobulin, which removes the danger of the disease. The effectiveness of such an injection is 60 to 90%, so vaccination is preferable in advance.

Also, people who have already undergone Hepatitis B are not repeatedly infected. People who have recovered permanently remain immune to this type of virus. In all other cases, you can get infected.

Can I get infected in everyday life?

Since the virus is present in all bodily fluids, the probability of getting infected from a person living in one apartment is present. In general, the virus can remain on personal hygiene items, it should never be shared with other people.

It should be noted that, despite the high activity of the virus in all biological fluids, infection occurs only when the liquids come in contact with damaged human skin. Therefore, living with a person who knows about his diagnosis, possible ways, how he can accidentally infect others, undergoes full-fledged treatment, is not dangerous. The disease is not transmitted by airborne droplets during conversation, during meals, other similar situations.

If blood and other liquids get into any objects or clothes, it is advisable to disinfect them. Things should be washed, wiped with any antiseptic. Clothing should be washed at a temperature of 60 degrees for at least half an hour or boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

Important!It is recommended that all members of the family of a hepatitis B patient be vaccinated.

Is sexually transmitted

Hepatitis B is transmitted sexually with unprotected sex, the probability of transmission of the virus is about 30%. The main way to protect against transmission is through condoms.

The appearance of a person can not tell if he has hepatitis B or not, so in any case it is advisable to hedge. It is worth noting that this infection is the only sexually transmitted infection that can be immunized.

Also, the virus is transmitted through saliva, so there is a chance of getting infected during a kiss, if a healthy partner has microtraumas, dental and gum disease accompanied by bleeding.

As transmitted to the child

During pregnancy, the child is safe, the placenta protects the fetus from the virus. However, the risk of transmitting a disease to a child arises if there are diseases that could damage the integrity of the placenta, or during childbirth if the baby's skin is injured.

Therefore, all children of infected mothers immediately after birth are vaccinated against hepatitis B. This disease can be extremely dangerous for the newborn, its consequences can lead to many violations.

Breastfeeding with hepatitis B is safe enough if the mother has no cracks, other nipple injuries. Otherwise, it is recommended to switch to artificial feeding.

How many people live with hepatitis B

To date, there are many effective methods for diagnosing and treating hepatitis B, this disease can be completely cured. The main cause of death from hepatitis - cirrhosis or liver cancer, if the disease is detected before the development of complications, the forecast is favorable.

The main thing in the treatment is to follow all the recommendations of specialists, taking any medications under the supervision of a doctor. It is also important to follow a diet, some rules of nutrition will have to be met throughout life. People who have undergone hepatitis B, for life, restrict the intake of alcohol.

If the virus can not be completely eliminated, supportive treatment is provided. With a healthy lifestyle and constant monitoring of well-being, patients can live for dozens of years without any noticeable problems.